New healthcare plan

As part of his government's plan to promote universal health coverage, last Saturday Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the 'Sehat Sahulat (health facility) Programme' for people with disabilities as well as their families. "We want to cover everyone and provide health insurance to all," said the PM while distributing Sehat Insaf Cards among some of the deserving people. The imitative cannot be appreciated enough in view of the harsh reality that many people in this country cannot afford treatment for even common curable diseases. And an unexpected serious illness increases the risk of pushing families into poverty. As the PM recalled he had seen entire households getting destroyed because "most people don't have the money to pay for the cost of treatment." For persons who are either born with a disability or become disabled in workplace accidents or some other mishaps, having access to medical services for self or a family member is too frustrating an experience in the absence of any social security net.
Speaking at the event, Special Assistant to the PM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said under this programme, persons with disabilities and their families will be provided facilities extended earlier to other families. It may be recalled that the previous government had also introduced a similar programme for the underprivileged sections of society, which failed to have any noticeable impact, probably because of its limited scope and some other weaknesses. It is imperative therefore to ensure the quality of services offered is good enough for those in need. The present initiative seems to be well designed. According to Dr Mirza, the beneficiaries will have health insurance to secure indoor healthcare services worth Rs 720,000 from any empanelled hospital in Pakistan through a transparent and computerized mechanism. The treatment services include open heart surgery, insertion of stents, management of cancer, neurosurgical procedures, burn and accident management, dialysis, intensive care management, deliveries, C-section and other medical/surgical procedures. Each patient will also receive Rs 1,000 travel cost at the time of his or her discharge from hospitals. There is also a provision for burial support of Rs 10,000 in case a death occurs in a hospital.
This indeed is a worthy step towards universal health coverage. Those having financial difficulties should also be enabled to access treatment facilities for ailments that do not require hospitalization. A comprehensive policy is in order that covers everything from disease prevention to availability of treatment services. Public health must get the priority it deserves so all individuals can realise their full potential to earn and lead productive lives, and also provide support for the country's endeavour towards socio-economic progress.