The Punjab caretaker ministers, Dr. Javed Akram and Amir Mir, recently announced significant changes to the health card program in a press conference. The aim of these changes is to ensure that the health card benefits are provided to those who truly need them. One of the key modifications involves restricting the eligibility for the health card based on electricity bills. Citizens with electricity bills amounting to Rs 10,000 or more will no longer be able to avail themselves of the Sehat Card scheme. This article delves into the reasons behind this decision and the government’s efforts to prevent the misuse of the health card program.
Determining Deserving Individuals
The caretaker ministers explained that individuals with high electricity bills cannot be considered economically disadvantaged. To allocate resources effectively, the government will rely on data from the Social Welfare Department to identify deserving individuals who genuinely require financial assistance for healthcare. This move aims to ensure that the limited resources are channeled to those who truly need them. The ministers emphasized that the caretaker government is making these changes without any political agenda and solely for the efficient utilization of funds.
Punjab: Curbing Misuse and Saving Resources
Dr. Javed Akram, the caretaker Health Minister, pointed out the rampant misuse of health cards under the previous government’s tenure. He stated that this decision is necessary to prevent the depletion of funds and save resources. By implementing these changes, the government intends to curtail any potential exploitation of the health card system. The misuse of health cards has allowed some individuals to profit, even leading to cases of individuals becoming millionaires through fraudulent means. In order to address this issue, Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) will now serve as Sehat Health Cards, ensuring better control and preventing misuse.
Restructuring the Health Card Program
The government has established a dedicated fund of Rs 1.5 billion to address the challenges faced by the health card program. Under the revised scheme, only government hospitals will provide free heart treatments. This step aims to optimize the use of funds and focus on critical medical interventions. Moreover, the government has decided to limit the presence of the Pakistani flag on the health card, possibly to minimize any potential political associations or biases in the provision of healthcare.
Maintaining the Sehat Card Program
While certain limitations have been introduced, the health card program will continue to operate. The caretaker Information Minister, Amir Mir, acknowledged that the health card had been misused in the past, allowing some individuals to exploit the system. However, it is important to note that the Sehat Card Scheme was initially launched in 2015 during Nawaz Sharif’s era with the intention of catering to deserving individuals. The government remains committed to providing healthcare assistance to those who genuinely need it.
Election Commission Responsibility
Addressing concerns about elections, Dr. Javed Akram clarified that the caretaker government does not have the responsibility to conduct elections. The responsibility lies with the election commission, an independent body tasked with ensuring free and fair elections. The caretaker government’s focus is on providing governance and managing affairs until the next elected government takes charge.
Read more: Around 18,000 citizens are admitted to Hospitals due to overeating During Eid-ul-Azha in Punjab
The changes announced by the Punjab caretaker ministers to the health card program aim to ensure the equitable distribution of resources and prevent the misuse of healthcare benefits. By restricting the eligibility criteria based on electricity bills, the government intends to allocate funds to those who genuinely require financial assistance for healthcare. While these changes may affect some individuals, the overall objective is to safeguard resources and prevent any fraudulent practices. The government’s commitment to continue the health card program with certain limitations reflects its dedication to providing healthcare support to deserving citizens.
