Peshawar: The State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLICP) has reversed its decision to suspend free health services under the Sehat Card Plus Programme. The services were initially halted due to a lack of payment by the provincial caretaker government, causing concern among the public. However, following negotiations between the caretaker government and the insurance company, the services have been reinstated.
The suspension of free health services, which began on Tuesday, was slated to continue unless the government cleared its outstanding arrears by Friday, August 25. This development prompted the insurance company to cease admitting new patients under the Sehat Card Plus Programme. Emergency services and life-saving procedures were the only exceptions permitted under pre-authorization.
The suspension prompted apprehension among citizens, given the significant number of individuals who rely on the Sehat Card Plus Programme to access medical care. The caretaker government, led by Muhammad Azam Khan, engaged in negotiations with the insurance company and successfully reached an agreement to restore the services. The insurance company released a subsequent notification confirming the resumption of services.
In a newly issued notification, the insurance company stated that the previous decision to halt services was withdrawn. It assured stakeholders that the Sehat Card Plus Programme services would continue until August 31, 2023. The caretaker government reportedly pledged to make payments to the insurance company by the end of August, leading to this resolution.
The Sehat Card Plus Programme was introduced by the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in KP during the 2018-19 period. This initiative aimed to provide citizens with access to essential healthcare services through the involvement of the State Life Insurance Corporation.
This isn’t the first instance of suspension due to payment issues. In April of the same year, the programme’s services were halted when the caretaker government failed to make payments to the insurance company. Despite a subsequent partial payment, the company suspended its services again in May, citing accumulated arrears.
As of now, the arrears have risen to approximately Rs28 billion, making it challenging for the insurance company to sustain its commitment to free health services. Officials speculate that the provincial government’s inability to fulfill its financial commitments may be indicative of broader issues, including a possible shift in the policy of providing free health services.
The restoration of the Sehat Card Plus Programme’s services comes as a relief to countless individuals who depend on the initiative for their medical needs. As the situation evolves, further discussions and decisions may be required to address the underlying financial challenges faced by the programme.
