Sehat Card Program Aids Over 1 Million Patients in KP, Spending Hits Rs31.66Bn

The Sehat Card program in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has significantly aided over a million residents this year, with total expenditures reaching Rs31.66 billion for free medical treatment from January to November 2025. Initiated to support low and middle-income families, the program continues to make a substantial impact on healthcare accessibility throughout the province.

According to the KP Health Department, a total of 1,085,110 patients received treatment under the Sehat Card program during this period. The majority of the funding was allocated to patients requiring serious medical interventions, including complex surgeries often unavailable in basic healthcare settings. Notably, more than 631,000 patients benefited from these advanced treatments, incurring costs exceeding Rs23 billion.

Among the procedures covered, major cardiac surgeries, cancer treatments, brain and spinal surgeries, and kidney transplants constituted a significant portion of the expenses. In contrast, over 452,000 patients availed themselves of more routine medical care, which accounted for approximately Rs8.15 billion in costs.

Public and Private Healthcare Contributions

The data reveals that over 692,000 patients received treatment at public hospitals, costing Rs17.44 billion. Meanwhile, private healthcare facilities catered to more than 333,000 patients, with expenses reaching Rs11.51 billion. Additionally, thousands of patients were treated at hospitals operating under public-private partnership models, enhancing the program’s reach.

Gender analysis shows that women were the primary beneficiaries, with over 585,000 women treated compared to approximately 499,000 men. Despite this disparity in patient numbers, the overall expenditure for both genders remained relatively equal.

Heart disease treatments topped the expenditure list, with costs for over 52,000 cardiac patients alone totaling Rs8.16 billion. Cancer treatment also represented a considerable financial commitment, exceeding Rs3 billion. While kidney-related issues involved a larger patient demographic, their overall costs were lower compared to cardiac and cancer treatments. Other significant areas of care included maternity services, general surgery, and bladder-related diseases.

Regional Insights and Future Considerations

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

Health officials emphasized the program’s role in alleviating the financial burden on low and middle-income families. They recognized that while the Sehat Card program has been beneficial, the escalating costs associated with treating complex diseases like heart conditions and cancer exert continuous pressure on the provincial health budget.

To enhance healthcare access and reduce financial strain, officials suggested that bolstering district-level hospitals could be a viable solution. Strengthening local healthcare infrastructure not only aims to improve patient access but also to mitigate the financial demands placed on the Sehat Card program, ensuring its sustainability for those in need.