The Qaumi Sehat Card, also known as the National Health Card, is a significant initiative by the Government of Pakistan to provide micro-health insurance to citizens belonging to low-income families. The card is part of the Sehat Sahulat Program, which aims to improve healthcare access for those who may otherwise face financial barriers in obtaining medical treatment.
The cardholders can avail free and swift inpatient healthcare services at various public and private hospitals within the designated regions. It covers a range of medical services, including treatment for accidents, medical emergencies, and various diseases such as diabetes, kidney diseases, Hepatitis B and C, and all types of cancers. Additionally, Sehat Card holders are entitled to free COVID-19 treatment, which can be crucial during pandemics or health emergencies.
As of my last update in September 2021, the program was available in specific regions, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Islamabad, and Tharparkar in Sindh. However, please note that the program’s coverage may have expanded or changed since then, so it’s essential to verify the current details from official sources or the concerned government department.
Who is Eligible for Sehat Card? Currently, all citizens of Pakistan earning less than $2/day can access this program and receive free medical care, as surveyed under Ehsaas Kafaalat / Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). All permanent residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (including the residents of merged districts from ex-FATA),Islamabad, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), as per NADRA records, are covered under the program regardless of their income. Note: Sehat Sahulat Program is currently suspended in Punjab. Health Cover Under Sehat Card The Sehat Card provides comprehensive medical cover for eligible card holders including: Free-of-cost hospitalization, emergency services, in-patient services (all medical and surgical cases), fractures/injuries, referral transportation, maternity services, and free follow-ups. Other than secondary care services, eight major diseases are also covered under priority cover package, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, burns and road traffic accidents, kidney diseases, chronic diseases (TB, Hepatitis A, B and C, HIV, chronic liver disease), organ failure, oncology, and neurosurgical services. See this link for complete list of diseases covered under the program. The cardholder can get treatment worth up to PKR 720,000 annually. This amount can be further topped up if needed. If a cardholder or his/her family member suffers from any major disease, the treatment will not be discontinued due to exhaustion of insurance amount, but the government can provide a further PKR 360,000 per family per annum and get the treatment completed. If a patient dies while under treatment, burial support of PKR 10,000 is also paid to the family. Healthcare Packages Currently, the following two treatment packages are available for the beneficiaries of the program. The details for available packages are updated on the PM Health Program Website. 1. Secondary Care Initial coverage PKR 60,000 / family / year Additional coverage PKR 60,000 / family 2. Priority Treatment Initial coverage PKR 300,000 / family / year Additional coverage PKR 300,000 / family For more information, see the complete list of hospitals on panel under Sehat Sahulat Program, as well as the detailed Benefit Package for Sehat Card.
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As of my last update in September 2021, the eligibility criteria for the Sehat Card program in Pakistan were as follows:
- All citizens of Pakistan earning less than $2/day are eligible for the program, based on the survey data gathered under the Ehsaas Kafaalat / Benazir Income Support Program (BISP).
- All permanent residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (including the residents of merged districts from ex-FATA), Islamabad, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are eligible for the Sehat Card program, regardless of their income, as per NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) records.
- It’s important to note that the Sehat Sahulat Program was suspended in Punjab at that time. However, the program’s status may have changed since then, so it’s essential to verify the current eligibility details from official sources or the concerned government department.
The Sehat Card provides comprehensive medical cover for eligible cardholders, including free-of-cost hospitalization, emergency services, in-patient services, fractures/injuries, referral transportation, maternity services, and free follow-ups. Additionally, it covers priority treatments for major diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, burns and road traffic accidents, kidney diseases, chronic diseases (TB, Hepatitis A, B and C, HIV, chronic liver disease), organ failure, oncology, and neurosurgical services.
The coverage amount for each family is based on the selected treatment package. The program offers two main treatment packages:
- Secondary Care: Initial coverage of PKR 60,000 per family per year, with the option to get additional coverage of PKR 60,000 per family.
- Priority Treatment: Initial coverage of PKR 300,000 per family per year, with the option to get additional coverage of PKR 300,000 per family.
If a patient dies while under treatment, the program also provides burial support of PKR 10,000 to the family.
For more specific and up-to-date information about the Sehat Card program, including the list of hospitals on the panel and detailed benefit packages, it’s recommended to refer to the official PM Health Program Website or contact the relevant government authorities.