Around 300,000 residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have received free medical treatment outside the province under the Sehat Card Plus health insurance program, according to official government documents.
Records reveal that since the launch of the program in 2016, more than five million people have benefited from medical services worth Rs. 150 billion through the scheme. The Sehat Card allows cashless treatment and diagnostic services at over 700 empaneled hospitals across Pakistan, using Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-issued CNICs.
Most Patients Travelled to Punjab and Islamabad
Out of the total beneficiaries, 294,287 patients sought treatment in regions outside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A majority traveled to Punjab, followed by Islamabad, Karachi, and Balochistan. Smaller numbers also received treatment in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The provincial government paid approximately Rs. 1.229 billion to hospitals outside KP for these medical services.
Why Patients Sought Treatment Outside KP
Health department officials explained that many beneficiaries were living outside the province for employment purposes, while others required specialized medical procedures not available locally.
The Sehat Card Plus program provides coverage for complex and high-cost treatments, ensuring that patients are not restricted to facilities within their home province.
Free Organ Transplants Included
The scheme also covers free organ transplant procedures, including:
-
235 renal (kidney) transplants
-
80 liver transplants
-
71 cochlear implants
Officials confirmed that all these procedures were carried out free of cost under the Sehat Card Plus program.
Coverage Expanded to 11 Million Families
Currently, the Sehat Card Plus program covers 11 million families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, offering free healthcare worth up to Rs. 1 million per family per year at hospitals anywhere in Pakistan.
Authorities said the program continues to play a critical role in providing financial protection and improved healthcare access to millions of families.
