ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister’s Coordinator on National Health Services and Regulations, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Thursday, launched the third-party validation report of the federal Sehat Sahulat Programme (SSP).
Addressing the launch ceremony held here, Bharath said that his ministry was committed to improving the healthcare facilities for the masses across the country through Sehat Sahulat programme and would ensure programme’s continuity for every single citizen of Pakistan.
The report is compiled by the Health Services Academy. Dr Shahzad Ali Khan and Kinzul Eman presented the report which highlighted significant strides in enhancing access to quality healthcare services and reducing out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiary families.
Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad commended the relevant officials of the Health Ministry, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Sehat Sahulat Programme, and implementation partners, State Life Insurance Corporation (SIC) of Pakistan and the NADRA.
He also acknowledged technical support from GIZ, Pakistan, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in realising the vision of Sehat Sub Kay Liye Hai –Health for All.
The Sehat Sahulat Programme has revolutionised the healthcare landscape in Pakistan.
The coordinator said the government was successfully implementing various health-related programmes on the national level in collaboration with global partners and local organisations, adding that on the directions of Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, recently the Health Ministry in collaboration with the Planning Commission of Pakistan and the provincial governments had constituted National Nutrition Task Force on nutrition to address the issue of malnutrition in the country.
Pakistan has witnessed extensive consequences of malnutrition, including devastating birth defects for babies, impaired brain development in young children, and reduced work capacity among adults.
He said the incumbent government was cognisant of the serious situation of malnutrition aggravated by global conflicts and climate change leading to food insecurity and high inflation.
Nadeem Mahbub, federal health secretary, commended the Sehat Sahulat Programme for enhancing the healthcare service delivery of the population and reducing out-of-pocket expenditures for inpatient care. He urged everyone to join that noble endeavour, emphasising that collective efforts could pave the way for a healthier future for every Pakistani citizen.
Muhammad Arshad, CEO of the Federal Sehat Sahulat Programme, expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for their unwavering support. Despite challenges, the programme has made significant strides towards universal health coverage for citizens.
According to the CEO Sehat Sahulat Programme Muhammad Arshad, currently the universal health insurance (UHI) coverage is provided to the 2.5 million beneficiary families of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), and district Tharparkar through federal funding.
The team remains committed to enhancing quality healthcare delivery through institutionalisation, aiming at “Health for All” and transforming Pakistan into a true welfare state. Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Pakistan, lauds the Sehat Sahulat Programme’s alignment with global health goals and reaffirms WHO’s support for Pakistan’s journey toward UHC.
Representatives from the provincial government and international partners, including WHO, GIZ, and the World Bank, acknowledge the programme’s impact in the reduction of out-of-pocket expenditure and underscore the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable healthcare solutions.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024