TAXILA: Some 111,000 health cards will be distributed in Attock district, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said on Saturday, adding that this is proof that the government is fulfilling its promises to the public about health facilities. Mr Aslam was speaking at a health cards distribution ceremony in Jinnah Hall.

“The present PTI government is making all-out efforts to improve the health sector, especially in remote and far-flung areas,” he said, adding that people would be able to avail medicine and treatment using the health card to the limit of Rs700,000.

The card will be renewed every year, and the government will also conduct a survey on poverty and increase the number of cards according to its results.

He said the cards will be issued to low-income people so they can receive medical treatment at private and government hospitals. Health cards will also state the number of the individual’s family members and can be used for everyone, from children to the elderly.

“The facility will be for C.T. scans to kidney dialysis. Transport changes will also be paid by the hospital administration to the patient,” he said.

“The Punjab government has set its target to distributed 7.2 million cards by Dec 31, 2019, and a total of 30.5m people will benefit from the scheme,” he said.

The adviser said the province’s healthcare system is beset by problems because of the apathy of previous governments towards the health sector.

He said only 30pc of the population is able to receive medical treatment at government-run hospitals, while the remaining 70pc have to rely on private hospitals.

While discussing the Clean and Green Pakistan programme, Mr Aslam said the programme is in full swing and will improve the environment, while encroachment on government land — particularly forest department land — are also being removed.

He said the country is passing through a difficult time but will soon be prosperous and developed in all sectors, especially the economic sector.

Mr Aslam later distributed health cards among eligible individuals in Hazro and Hassanabdal city.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2019