PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Friday declared the extension of health insurance to all parts of the province under the Sehat Sahulat Programme a revolutionary, unique and pro-poor initiative.

“Extension of the health programme is a milestone achievement and a huge progress towards Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision to make Pakistan a welfare state,” he said in a statement.

The chief minister said the Sehat Sahulat Programme was launched in the province by the previous government with a limited coverage but the current government had extended its coverage to the entire population.

“The scheme will cost around Rs18 billion annually,” he said.

Mr Mahmood said the programme’s extension despite financial problems caused by coronavirus pandemic showed the government’s commitment to providing free and quality health services to the people.

“The extension of the scheme to 100 per cent population of the province is a big achievement of my government. By doing so, it has fulfilled another promise made to the people,” he said.

The chief minister said the extension of the programme would ensure universal health coverage in the province.

He said KP was the first province to provide free treatment facilities to its entire population.

Mr Mahmood said the Sehat Insaf Programme would not only provide free medical treatment to the people but would also help eradicate poverty, improve standards of living, and service delivery at public and private hospitals.

He said the Sehat Insaf Cards would be issued to all permanent families of the province regardless of political affiliations.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2020