The provincial government’s non-payment of dues has led to the State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) halting new admissions for free treatment of patients under the Sehat Card Plus programme.
SLIC, responsible for implementing the free health initiative for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, directed hospitals involved in the programme to stop admitting new patients on SCP until further notice.
The zonal head of SLIC issued a letter instructing all panel hospitals working under SCP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to stop taking new admissions starting from April 20th (Thursday).
The health desks of the Sehat Card Plus programme at the hospitals would also be closed, but health facilitators, district medical officers, and provincial medical officers were advised to be available for patient counselling and preparation of claims.
Sehat Card
Hospitals to continue to facilitate already admitted patients
According to sources in the health department, the government owes Rs14 billion to the insurance company for the expenses incurred on the treatment of patients in empanelled hospitals.
Two months ago, the government agreed to release Rs4 billion every month.
Along with the insurer retaining Rs1.5 billion in the outstanding amount, They agreed to spend Rs2.5 billion on the monthly treatment of patients.
However, the health department has not paid Rs4 billion to the insurer in March, and a similar instalment is due on April 20th, which the caretaker government cannot pay due to severe financial constraints.
As a result, the State Life Insurance Corporation has halted the Sehat Card Plus programme.
Senior health officials held a meeting to resolve the issue of outstanding dues, but indications show that there are no funds, and the programme will remain closed.
The programme, which started in 2016, has so far provided free health services to 2.2 million patients at a cost of Rs51 billion.
The insurance firm pays the empanelled hospitals for free treatment of people on SCP and signs agreements with them.
The SLIC has been sending letters to the health department every month to ensure the provision of money, but the financial problems have left the caretaker government with no option except to allow the corporation to stop the programme.
The hospitals will continue to facilitate patients already admitted under SCP, but new patients not accepted.
The health department has regretted the inconvenience caused due to the suspension of the Sehat Card Plus programme.
