PESHAWAR, Jan 7: The NWFP government has decided to provide free treatment to critically-ill patients at the four teaching hospitals of the province, said an official handout here on Tuesday.

It said that Lady Reading Hospital will get Rs22.5 million, while Khyber Teaching Hospital, Hayatabad Medical Complex and Ayub Teaching Hospital each will receive Rs12.5 million for the purpose.

It said that a total of Rs60 million had been allocated in the current's year budget to help the patients. All patients will be allotted onto one of three colour categories - red, yellow and green - indicating the portion of the treatment cost they will have to bear.

Red will get 70 per cent of the treatment cost from the emergency fund, whereas the yellow would be entitled to 30 per cent of the total cost of treatment at the casualty ward. The patient placed in the green category will not be required to pay. All details are to be displayed at the casualty departments of the four teaching hospitals for the information of the public.