Islamabad, Feb 21: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has launched free outpatient department (OPD) services under the Sehat Card Plus program, a significant step toward expanding healthcare access for low-income families. The initiative was officially unveiled by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur during a ceremony at the Chief Minister’s House, attended by provincial ministers, lawmakers, and health officials.
The program will be rolled out in phases, beginning with a pilot project in Mardan, where 50,000 deserving households will benefit from free consultations, medications, and diagnostic tests. The next phase will extend to Chitral, Malakand, and Kohat, eventually covering around 120,000 families. The eligibility criteria will be based on Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) data to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive assistance.
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Patients will be able to access these free OPD services at hospitals included in the Sehat Card panel, as well as at Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centers (RHCs) at the Union Council level. This initiative is being implemented with the support of the German development organization KfW, which has previously collaborated on healthcare projects in Pakistan.
During the launch, CM Gandapur emphasized that K-P is the first province in Pakistan to provide free OPD services under the Sehat Card, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving public healthcare. He stated that both admitted and OPD patients would now receive medical care without financial hardship, marking a transformational shift in the province’s healthcare system. The program is expected to expand further, ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare for millions of residents across K-P.
