Rs 3.5 billion 'Hum-Qadam Programme' being launched for special people: Buzdar

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Tuesday disclosed that "Hum-Qadam Programme" is being launched with an amount of Rs 3.5 billion, to help solve the problems being faced by special persons and their families.

Under the programme, monthly financial support will be provided to 0.2 million special persons, the CM said while addressing a ceremony held in connection with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Tuesday in which he distributed Sehat Insaf Cards among the differently-abled persons.

Addressing the ceremony, the CM said the Punjab government is committed to implement two percent job quota for disabled persons and more than 575 visually impaired persons are recruited after a gap of seven years.

He said that four special education institutions are being set up in Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Sargodha and Okara while eight other special education centers are being upgraded from primary to middle and middle to secondary levels.

Announcing the launch of Sehat Insaf Cards for 30000 Thalassemia patients, the CM said the government is striving for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities so as to make them a useful organ of the society.

Terming Sehat Insaf Card programme as a flagship initiative of the PTI government, he said that one-third population of the province is being treated in private hospitals through these cards. More than 450,000 needy persons have benefited from this scheme while more than 118,000 patients have been treated in private hospitals, he said.

Announcing the launch of Sehat Insaf Sahulat Card project for disabled persons, the CM said the card-holders will get treatment facilities in private hospitals and bills will be paid by the government. The special persons will be given the facility of treatment up to Rs 720,000 through Sehat card and one thousand rupees will be given additionally to special persons as transport expenditures.

Provincial Minister Muhammad Akhlaq disclosed that "Special Education Policy" is being launched in Punjab along with setting up the helpline, biometric system and application for differently-abled persons.

Provincial Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid announced that treatment facilities will be provided to the people living below the poverty line.

Moreover, Vice-chairperson Punjab Social Protection Authority Ali Asjad Malhi called on CM Usman Buzdar and discussed matters relating to PSPA's performance and provision of facilities to the downtrodden.

Buzdar said that Rs 3 billion have been allocated for Bahimat Buzarg programme to provide monthly financial assistance to the elderly people of more than 65 years. The Sarprast Programme is also being introduced with an amount of Rs 2 billion for looking after widows and orphan children.