Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched the National Health Programme here on Thursday to ensure free medical treatment for 1.2 million families, in first phase of the programme, living below the poverty line. The programme is being launched in 15 districts at the initial stage and will be expanded to 23 districts in the next phase. "The programme will be implemented in phases to ensure health insurance to the poor of the entire country," the Prime Minister said while addressing a gathering at the inaugural ceremony of the National Health Programme.
The Prime Minister said free treatment would be provided to patients suffering from seven fatal diseases like diabetes, cancer and liver impairment. The medical facilities would be provided at both the government and private hospitals, he said, adding that Rs 300,000 would be provided to each patient suffering from a fatal disease; however, Bait-ul-Maal would provide additional money if necessary for treatment. The PM invited all the provincial governments to be a part of the initiative for provision of better medical treatment to the impoverish population across the country.
Earlier, Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Co-ordination Saira Afzal Tarar briefed the PM on the services and benefits of the programme, which would provide cheap medical care to poor people against seven life-threatening diseases.
The scheme offers free of cost treatment for ailments such as cardiovascular diseases, Diabetes Mellitus, Burma and RTA (life and limb saving treatment, implants, prosthesis). It will also cover end-stage renal diseases, dialysis, chronic infections (Hepatitis), organ failure (Hepatic, Renal, Cardiopulmonary) and cancer treatment (Chemo, Radio and Surgery). Under the programme health care cards will be issued to the beneficiaries on which they will get free medical treatment of the seven diseases.
The PM was informed that around 63,000 people would be issued health cards through 300 centres in Islamabad and Lahore which had initially been established for the distribution of health cards. In the first phase the programme will provide free of cost access to hospital/indoor care to 3.1 million families. This will be spread across to families in 23 districts including Narowal, Khanewal, Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan, Sheikhupura, Badin, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Mardan, Malakand, Kohat and Chitral. In addition Quetta, Loralai, Lesbela, Kech, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Diamer, Skardu, Bajaur Agency, Khyber Agency and ICT are also included.
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