Federal Sehat Sahulat Program is will continue as per the Honourable Prime Minster's vision of unified universal health insurance for every citizen of Pakistan with a similar co-payment mechanism from affordable segment of the population to make it sustainable. Also, we will strengthen Public health system and integrate Qaumi Sehat Card Program with Primary Healthcare to make it more sustainable for the Government. It was stated by Federal Health Miniter Dr Nadeem Jan while chairing the today National Steering Committee of Federal Sehat Sahulat Program of Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination here in Islamabad. The high level National Streeting Committee meeting of Sehat Sahulat Program was attended by Provincial Health Ministers, Secretaries, CEOs of Federal and provincial Sehat Sahulat Program, senior representatives from Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiative, Finance Division, Law and Justice Division, Pakistan Bait Ul Mal and focal persons from AJK, GB and NADRA and technical partners.
The meeting started with the presentation of Chief Executive Officer, SSP Muhammad Arshad on the current implementation status of Program. He briefed on the current Universal Health Insurance coverage provided to the 2.5 million beneficiary families of AJK, GB, ICT and district Tharparkar through Federal funding.
Federal Health Secretary Mr. Iftikhar Ali Shallwani emphasized and highlighted the good work done by the Ministry and its Program team and said we need to work hard to further improve on reassessment of empanelled hospitals and to consider high and private hospitals to enhance the benefit to the poor population at least for specialised procedures.
Member Social Sector and Development, Planning Commission Mr. Rafi Ullah Kakar emphasized that Ministry of Planning and ECNEC are in the favour of the continuity of the program with modified improved implementation strategies to ensure financial sustainability. He also said that such beneficial programs should be institutionalized on priority basis to benefit the people of Pakistan on long-term basis.
Dr. Nadeem Jan in his concluding remarks appreciated all the provincial health ministers for their wonderful leadership and contribution to enrich the universal health program to make it a unified one Pakistan one UHI program where poor population should be getting the health treatment absolutely free and affordable segments including Government employees and others should contribute to the cost in terms of co-payments to make the program more affordable and sustainable. He further assured with the support of all stakeholders we will leave a better UHI system for the next Government to continue it for the benefit of all Pakistani Citizen. He thanked all the stakeholders for attending the meeting and in principle agreeing on one Pakistan one UHI system. We believe in One Pakistan, One UHC and One UHI implemented by Provinces in the light of National Unified Policy.
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