Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Health, Mr. Khaliq Ur Rehman, attended a two-day conference organized by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) at Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Hayatabad, Peshawar

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Health, Mr. Khaliq Ur Rehman, attended a two-day conference organized by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) at Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Hayatabad, Peshawar. Addressing the participants, the Minister appreciated the leadership and members of the Pakistan Medical Association and termed them a role model for their professional services and positive contributions to the healthcare sector.
The Minister stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a leading province in the provision of healthcare facilities and highlighted that the Sehat Card Plus facility is available to every CNIC holder of the province. He added that KP is not only providing free healthcare services to its own citizens but is also extending this facility to residents of Gilgit-Baltistan, while patients from Punjab are also benefiting from treatment at KP’s hospitals.
He further informed that since the formation of the PTI-led provincial government in 2015, the health index has improved by 49 percent, reflecting the commitment and seriousness of the Health Department and the provincial government. Currently, a total budget of Rs. 275 billion is being spent on healthcare, which continues to increase, placing a significant burden on the provincial exchequer.
The Minister shared that the Health Department is formulating a new Health Policy with a strong focus on primary healthcare and disease prevention. He emphasized that a large number of patients visit hospitals due to lack of awareness and unhealthy lifestyles, stressing the need to adopt balanced diets, hygienic food habits, and regular exercise to build a healthy society.
Highlighting ongoing reforms, the Minister said that the government’s main objective is to revamp primary healthcare facilities at the district level in order to reduce the patient load on big care hospitals. He urged doctors to ensure punctuality, work with honesty, and function as a team, clearly stating that there is zero tolerance for negligence in the line of duty.
He concluded by stating that a transparent and strict mechanism of checks and balances is in place, and a comprehensive monitoring policy is being introduced to strengthen the system. He expressed confidence that, God willing, the public will soon witness positive and visible improvements in the healthcare system across the province.