Sehat Card programme faces risk of closure in Punjab
- By Web Desk -
- Mar 30, 2023
LAHORE: The State Life Insurance Company on Thursday threatened to close the Sehat Card programme over non-payment of dues worth Rs83 billion, ARY News reported.
The tussle between the State Life Insurance and Punjab Health Feasibility Company has intensified as the state-owned insurance company has threatened the closure of the revolutionary Sehat Card programme, launched by the PTI government.
In a letter, the State Life Insurance company has demanded payment of pending Rs83 billion dues else threatened to close the programme from April 1.
The letter further stated that the budget for the Sehat Card programme was Rs125 billion, but the insurance company only received funds of Rs31 billion so far.
Read more: LHC moved against closure of Sehat Card programme
Meanwhile, the Punjab Health Company chief Ali Razzaq has assured the insurance company for the release of pending funds.
The PTI govt launched the scheme to provide free-of-cost medical services to low-income and poor households and covers medical bills up to Rs1 million annually.
The Sehat scheme, first launched by the PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in 2016, was extended to the federal capital, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan in 2021.