PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Afridi has taken serious notice of the sudden and unannounced suspension of Sehat Card services at the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH), directing an immediate inquiry into the matter and ordering the uninterrupted continuation of free healthcare facilities under the provincial health insurance program.
According to Geo News, Chief Minister Afridi made a surprise visit to KTH on Friday to personally inspect the hospital’s facilities, assess the quality of medical services, and review the implementation of the Sehat Card Plus program. During the visit, he expressed strong displeasure over the eight-hour suspension of the Sehat Card system without prior notification, calling it “an unacceptable disruption to public healthcare services.”
The Chief Minister instructed hospital administration and relevant authorities to ensure that treatment under the Sehat Card scheme remains fully functional and accessible to all eligible citizens at all times. “Health is a basic right of every citizen, and no hospital has the authority to halt services that are essential for public welfare,” Afridi stated during his visit.
He emphasized that the provincial government has already released the required funds for the Sehat Card program, and therefore, any interruption in patient care is unjustifiable. “Funds have been disbursed; there should be no excuse for delay in medical treatment. Hospitals must ensure continuous service delivery to patients relying on the Sehat Card,” the Chief Minister added.
Afridi directed the Health Department and the hospital management to submit a detailed report on the reasons behind the suspension. He warned that strict disciplinary action will be taken against any officials found responsible for negligence or administrative mismanagement.
The Sehat Card Plus program, one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s flagship healthcare initiatives, provides free medical treatment to millions of families across the province. It covers a wide range of medical procedures and has been a key element in improving access to quality healthcare for low-income citizens.
In recent months, however, reports have emerged of delays and temporary suspensions of the program’s services at several hospitals due to administrative and financial bottlenecks. The Chief Minister’s recent action aims to restore public confidence in the scheme and ensure accountability among hospital administrators.
Suhail Afridi reiterated his government’s commitment to expanding healthcare coverage and improving hospital management systems. He also instructed officials to maintain transparent coordination with the Health Department and insurance partners to prevent future service disruptions.
