Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Sehat Card Program Benefits Over One Million

The Sehat Card program in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has successfully supported over one million individuals in 2025, providing critical healthcare to those in need. Between January and November 2025, a total of 1,085,110 patients received free medical treatment through the initiative, with the provincial health department reporting an expenditure of Rs31.66 billion on patient care.

The majority of funds were allocated to high-cost medical procedures not typically available at basic healthcare facilities. Treatments included major cardiac surgeries, cancer therapies, brain and spinal surgeries, and kidney transplants. Notably, over 631,000 patients benefitted from these complex treatments, with costs surpassing Rs23 billion. Comparatively, more than 452,000 patients accessed basic medical care, resulting in expenditures of roughly Rs8.15 billion.

Breakdown of Patient Treatment and Costs

According to the data provided by the KP Health Department, more than 692,000 patients were treated at public hospitals, costing around Rs17.44 billion. In private facilities, over 333,000 patients utilized the Sehat Card, with treatment expenses reaching Rs11.51 billion. Additionally, a number of patients received care at hospitals operating under public-private partnership models.

Gender-wise analysis revealed that women benefited from the program more significantly than men. Over 585,000 women accessed treatment, compared to just over 499,000 men. Despite this disparity in patient numbers, the overall expenditure for both genders was nearly equal.

Examining medical specialties reveals that heart disease treatments incurred the highest costs, with more than 52,000 cardiac patients treated at a staggering cost of Rs8.16 billion. Cancer treatment followed closely, with expenses exceeding Rs3 billion. Although kidney-related ailments involved a larger patient count, their overall treatment costs remained lower. Other significant areas of treatment included maternity care, general surgery, and bladder-related diseases.

Regional Insights and Future Challenges

Geographically, Peshawar emerged as the district with the highest utilization of the Sehat Card program, where over 100,000 patients received treatment at a cost exceeding Rs3.35 billion. Other districts, such as Swat, Mardan, Charsadda, and Lower Dir, also showcased high levels of participation. Conversely, remote and underdeveloped areas reported lower patient numbers, attributed to limited access to healthcare facilities.

Health officials emphasized that the Sehat Card program has significantly alleviated the financial burden of expensive medical treatments for poor and middle-income families. Nonetheless, they acknowledged that escalating costs associated with treating serious illnesses such as heart disease and cancer place ongoing pressure on the provincial health budget.

To address these challenges, officials highlighted the importance of strengthening district-level hospitals. Enhancing these facilities could improve healthcare access for patients and potentially reduce the overall financial strain on the Sehat Card program.