Punjab Sehat Card Suspension has officially for use outside the province starting from July 1, 2025, impacting thousands of cardholders who relied on the scheme in Islamabad, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, AJK, and Gilgit-Baltistan, ARY News reports. Under the new directive, only treatment pre-approved before July 1 will continue outside Punjab; all other cross-provincial Sehat Card claims will be rejected.
The Sehat Card Sahulat Program, launched in 2015 via NADRA, once provided cashless hospitalization at empaneled public and private hospitals across Pakistan. But now Punjab’s government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, is pivoting to a more targeted approach, pausing universal coverage in provincial government hospitals from June 30 onwards.
Instead, the province plans to launch specialized health cards focusing on high-cost treatments — including dialysis, cancer therapy, and pediatric heart surgery . Provincial officials say low-income families can still access care at empaneled private hospitals, but universal coverage via Sehat Card at all public facilities has ended.
Experts and patient advocates are raising concerns. Nearly 43 million families have been registered under the Sehat Programme nationwide, with over 14 million users accessing services . Critics warn that restricting access outside Punjab and public hospitals may potentially limit care for poor patients with urgent needs.
Health policy analysts suggest several measures to cushion the impact:
- Public awareness campaigns explaining the transition and alternative healthcare initiatives.
- Clear guidelines for transferring care outside Punjab before the deadline.
- Mobile medical camps in border districts for cross-provincial emergency services.
- Subsidies or vouchers for passengers traveling for medical reasons if treated privately.
Families currently receiving treatment in Punjab-run hospitals in Islamabad, AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan, KP, Sindh, or Balochistan should complete their care before July 1. Any uninterrupted long-term treatment must be concluded or transferred to avoid denial of benefits post-suspension.
Punjab’s attempt to target resources toward life-saving treatments may improve access to expensive procedures — but the sudden withdrawal of coverage could place low-income patients at risk, especially in emergency cases or rural cross-border clinics. Provincial health authorities have pledged to issue new cards soon, but no clear timeline has been announced.
🔍 What Low-Income Families Should Do Now
- Check current treatments: Ensure continuation before July 1.
- Contact Sehat Sahulat offices: Get advice on specialized cards or exceptions.
- Explore alternatives: NADRA biometric camps, private hospital discounts.
- Track the rollout: Keep updated on announcements for cancer, dialysis, or heart-surgery cards.
This change marks a major shift in Punjab’s public healthcare policy — from broad Sehat Card coverage to a more specialised, cost-focused approach. For now, clear communication and transition support are critical to ensure vulnerable families aren’t left without care.
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