Special Assistant to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkkhwa on Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan, has said that Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi, has imposed Health Emergency across the province to make healthcare system more effective and people-friendly. The primary objective of this initiative is to improve facilities in hospitals, ensure easier access to medical treatment and provide citizens with quality healthcare services.
” Under the Sehat Card Plus program, people across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are receiving free treatment and surgeries for various diseases at both public and private hospitals.” Shafi Jan added.
He further said that in several districts, free OPD treatment and medicines are being provided through Zuwand Card, reflecting the welfare-oriented vision of the current government. Two among country’s ten major public hospitals are operational in Peshawar providing improved healthcare services to public. Peshawar’s three major teaching hospitals collectively offer 4,720 beds, including , 1,870 beds at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), 1,600 beds at Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH), 1,250 beds at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC).
Shafi Jan added that provincial government is actively working on plans to establish a new 5,000-bed hospital in Peshawar and four new 1,000-bed hospitals in different districts. These initiatives will serve as a major milestone in revolutionizing healthcare sector.
Special Assistant Shafi Jan further stated that provincial government has capacity to pay Rs. 100 billion in cash from its available resources. However, Rs. 4 trillion remain outstanding from federal government, funds that are essential for the province’s development and social sectors.
Comparing healthcare facilities in Islamabad, Shafi Jan said that despite abundant resources, federal capital main public hospital has only 1,200 beds facility which highlights the clear difference in performance and priorities. He emphasized that provincial government places health sector at the top of its agenda and enforcement of Health Emergency will bring significant improvements in treatment, facilities and infrastructure.