Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to officially launch the health card programme on Friday, restoring free healthcare services for residents of Islamabad, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
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Under the revived initiative, citizens will receive a health card linked to their national identity cards, enabling them to access medical treatment at both public and private hospitals across the country.
The programme will allow beneficiaries to avail free healthcare services at more than 640 government and private hospitals nationwide. The scheme will remain in force until June 30, 2027.
The health card initiative had been suspended two years ago, creating serious difficulties for residents of Islamabad, particularly patients requiring treatment for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, kidney ailments and accident-related injuries.
With the relaunch of the programme, eligible citizens will once again be able to receive treatment for these conditions without any cost.
The Universal Health Coverage Programme, with an allocation of Rs41 billion, will provide each family with healthcare coverage of up to Rs1 million per year, significantly easing the financial burden of medical expenses.
