Over 300 private hospitals empanelled for Naya Pakistan Qoumi Seht Card: Dr Yasmin Rashid

LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid has said that more than 300 private sector hospitals have been empanelled for Naya Pakistan Qoumi Sehat card.

Speaking as chief guest at the Auditorium of Services Institute of Medical Sciences in an orientation session for Naya Pakistan Sehat Sahulat card here on Wednesday, Dr Yasmin Rashid said that thousands of beds have been added in private
hospitals since the introduction of the program.

Dr. Yasmin Rashid said, "Prime Minister Imran Khan will start distribution of cards to all 31 million families of Punjab from 1st of January 2022. The purpose of today's session is to apprise Vice Chancellors, Principals, Deans and MS about the features of the Naya Pakistan Qomi Sehat card. Hospital
staff must know what services are available in the program. This card is a blessing for those living below the poverty line and for the middle class."

She said that treatment won't be declined to anyone in empanelled public and private hospitals. Thousands of beds have been added into the system through empanelling of over 300 hospitals. Private hospitals have starting upscaling of services due to the introduction of the card. In many private hospitals, 70 to 80 % patients are card holders, she added.

The provincial minister said that the prime minister has facilitated people in healthcare. No negligence will be tolerated in treatment of people. This is the largest health initiative in the history of Pakistan. The Health Department has hired over 48000 doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, pharmacists and male nurses over the past three years. She said, our efforts
are focused at improving doctor's behavior, medicine availability and cleanliness. Card holders will be able to get free treatment of many diseases in the empanelled hospitals, she added.

She further stated, "We salute Prime Minister Imran Khan for this revolutionary program. Allah Almighty always makes journey easier for those who work for the welfare of people. No government in the past ever took such an initiative and only a person with a heart like Imran Khan could do it. We
have provided cards to 8.5 million families of Punjab already. Our latest survey indicated that 97% of card users expressed satisfaction over the quality of services."

Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Ahmed Javed Qazi said that Naya Pakistan Qom Sehat card was a massive program and all card holders shall get quality services at empanelled Teaching Hospitals of Punjab.

The event was attended by Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, Special Secretary Ajmal Bhatti, Special Secretary Dr. Asif Tufail, Project Director PMU Amir Hussain Ghazi, Principal  SIMS Professor Dr. Tayyaba Wasim, CEO Punjab Health Initiatives Management Company Dr. Ali Razzaq, Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Medical University Professor Dr. Amir Zaman Khan, Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College Professor Arif Tajammul, Principal Ameeruddin Medical College Professor Dr. Sardar Al Farid, MS Services Hospital Dr. Ehteshamul Haq, MS Mayo hospital Dr. Mohammad Iftikhar, MS Dental Hospital Dr. Omar Farooqi, faculty members and staff. Principal SIMS Dr. Tayyaba Wasim presented flower bouquet to the health minister. Dr. Asif Tufail shared features and facilities provided under Naya Pakistan Sehat Sahulat card.