Punjab govt to end Sehat Card coverage in public hospitals

Punjab government shifts medicine provision model as it announces to end Sehat Card coverage in public hospitals

LAHORE: The Punjab Government has officially announced that the Sehat Card facility for treatment in public sector hospitals will be discontinued from June 30, 2025, as it ends its agreement with the private insurance company managing the programme.

According to an official notification, all government hospitals have been directed to clear outstanding dues related to Sehat Card–covered medicines before the June 30 deadline. From July 1, the Punjab Government will take direct responsibility for providing free medicines in public hospitals without using the Sehat Card mechanism.

Free treatment to continue

Healthcare services in public hospitals remain free of charge, and the discontinuation of Sehat Card usage affects only the medicines coverage, not the overall treatment. The move is part of a broader reform to ensure efficient, transparent, and state-managed delivery of essential medicines to patients.

New healthcare policy to be unveiled

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is expected to announce a new healthcare policy that will define the framework for direct medicine provision under the public health system. The new approach aims to reduce administrative complexity, eliminate dependency on insurance-based reimbursements, and ensure timely access to essential medicines.

Private hospitals not yet addressed

While the Sehat Card will no longer be used in public hospitals, there has been no official notification regarding its future use in private sector hospitals, where it has also been in operation under the same programme. This has created uncertainty for patients who rely on private facilities for ongoing treatments.

The Sehat Sahulat Programme, launched in 2014 and expanded in 2021, had included both public and private hospitals, offering insured coverage for inpatient services and medicines. The current move by the Punjab Government marks a significant transition toward a publicly managed healthcare financing model, especially in the area of pharmaceutical provision.

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