ISLAMABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s health card scheme.
In his statement, Bilawal said that the KP government has allocated the health budget entirely to the health card, adding that, in his opinion, the KP health card is not an effective model.
He further stated that the health card has a fixed limit, and if medical expenses exceed this limit, patients must pay out of their own pocket.
Bilawal also claimed that the KP government is using public funds to benefit private hospitals rather than strengthening government health institutions.
Bilawal Bhutto emphasized that the PPP had launched the Wasila-e-Sehat program for the underprivileged, aiming to provide direct assistance to the most disadvantaged individuals.
He demanded that both the federal and KP governments present their 15-year performance regarding population planning.
Bilawal added that he is ready to present Sindh’s 15-year performance in population planning.
He also mentioned that facilities would be provided in Gujarkhan, Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan, and D.I. Khan with the support of SIUT.
The Health Card in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a government initiative aimed at providing financial assistance for medical treatment to residents, especially those who cannot afford healthcare.
Under this scheme, eligible individuals receive a card that covers treatment costs up to a specified limit in selected public and private hospitals.
The program is intended to improve access to healthcare services and reduce the financial burden of medical expenses.
However, the scheme has faced criticism for its limitations, including a fixed spending cap, which means patients must pay out of pocket if costs exceed the limit.
Critics also argue that the scheme prioritizes private hospitals over strengthening public health institutions.
Despite these concerns, the KP Health Card remains a significant step toward making healthcare more accessible to the population.
