Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal announced on Wednesday that the government has incorporated 42 private hospitals into Islamabad’s healthcare network to alleviate pressure on public hospitals through its flagship national health insurance initiative.
Addressing a press briefing in Islamabad, Kamal stated that the government will fully cover treatment expenses at these private facilities. This development is part of the reactivation of the “Sehat Sahulat Programme,” a health card scheme that had been suspended for several years.
He emphasized that ensuring quality healthcare for the public remains a top priority. Kamal pointed out that the rapid population growth has significantly increased the strain on government hospitals, and the current economic conditions cannot support this expanding demand.
Highlighting Islamabad’s population now exceeding 3.5 million, the minister noted that public hospitals are further burdened by patients coming from Rawalpindi, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and other regions. This influx has resulted in chronic overcrowding and frequent complaints about service quality.
Kamal drew attention to a notable discrepancy in healthcare outcomes, mentioning that despite federal and provincial governments collectively spending Rs1,156 billion on health, patient satisfaction remains under 10 percent. In contrast, a government-commissioned study on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) indicated that comprehensive healthcare services could be delivered more efficiently with a budget of Rs210 billion by utilizing private sector resources.
“Universal Health Coverage represents the future of healthcare,” Kamal remarked, adding that without integrating the private sector, the country would need to build 5,000 new hospitals to meet demand.
The minister also warned that any hospital found guilty of malpractice or providing substandard care would be promptly removed from the programme.
He expressed gratitude to the prime minister for approving the programme’s reinstatement, describing it as a crucial step toward aligning Pakistan’s healthcare system with international standards.
