ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday announced that the Health Facilitation Programme, which had remained suspended in the federal capital for several years, has now been reinstated to provide citizens with access to quality and free healthcare services.

He said that the program has been launched in 42 hospitals across the twin cities, enabling eligible patients to receive free medical treatment. The program will be applicable within the territorial jurisdiction of Islamabad.

He made these remarks during his visit to Dr Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital (ANTH), where he reviewed healthcare services being provided under the Health Facilitation Program, now operating as the Prime Minister’s National Health Program.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Program, Muhammad Arshad, and Group Chief Executive Officer of GAK HealthCare International, Yasir Khan Niazi, were also present on the occasion.

During the visit, Mustafa Kamal met patients receiving treatment under the PM’s National Health Program, inquired about their well-being, and sought feedback regarding the medical services being provided.

The minister noted that the population of the federal capital has exceeded 3.5 million. In addition, hospitals in Islamabad receive a significant number of patients from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Rawalpindi, and surrounding areas. As a result, public hospitals frequently face overcrowding, while private healthcare facilities are also experiencing increasing pressure.

Mustafa Kamal stated that the prime minister had approved the government’s proposal in the public interest, leading to the revival of the Health Facilitation Program after several years.

Minister further stated that, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, approximately 13 million people have fallen below the poverty line, while nearly Rs2 billion has been spent on patient treatment over the past five months.

He added that all program-related information and expenditures were being monitored through a real-time data system, and any irregularities or violations would not be tolerated.

He said that the combined health budget of the federal and provincial governments stands at Rs1,156 billion; however, patient satisfaction remains below 10 per cent.

Referring to a comprehensive study on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), he noted that essential healthcare services could be provided with resources amounting to approximately Rs210 billion.

However, achieving this objective would require the establishment of nearly 5,000 additional hospitals across the country.

In another development, Shifa International Hospital has officially achieved Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation as an “Academic Medical Centre”, one of fewer than 70 institutions worldwide to hold the distinction.

It is worth mentioning that JCI Academic Medical Centre accreditation is among the most demanding and prestigious designations in international medicine. It is awarded only to institutions that simultaneously demonstrate world-class clinical care, rigorous medical education, and advanced human subjects research, all under the governance of the highest international quality and safety standards.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026