BY:Kashif Uddin Syed
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government released one-year achievements of the health department. The government has prioritized healthcare, ensuring accessible and high-quality medical services for the people of the province report douccments says.
During a year, the Sehat Card Scheme has emerged as a cornerstone of healthcare delivery, providing free treatment to 940,000 patients, 72 per cent of these received care in government hospitals, while 28 per cent were treated in private facilities. To further strengthen the health sector, the government allocated Rs. 231 billion in the current fiscal year budget, marking a 13 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
Significant infrastructure developments have been made, including the establishment of 120 Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care Centers and the formation of over 850 Primary Care Management Committees to enhance the management and supervision of rural and basic health centers. Additionally, more than 250 medical equipment units have been procured for secondary hospitals, ensuring better diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
Also Read: KP Government launches free OPD services under Sehat Card scheme
In Peshawar, the 500-bed Allied and Surgical Block at Lady Reading Hospital has been expanded, while Rs. 5.5 billion has been disbursed to districts for the procurement of medicines. As a result, over 90 percent of essential medicines are now available in all district headquarters hospitals.
The Khaliqa Gul Nawaz Medical Teaching Institute in Bannu has seen the completion of five new blocks and the establishment of a 10-bed Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit. In Dera Ismail Khan, two Cath Laboratories have been set up, alongside a Kidney Center and Burn Unit at the Teaching Hospital.
Khyber Teaching Hospital in Peshawar has also witnessed significant upgrades, including the installation of a state-of-the-art helium-free MRI machine at a cost of Rs. 400 million and the upgradation of its Cath Lab. A transplant tower for kidney, liver, and bone marrow transplants is in its final stages of development at the hospital.
Other notable achievements include the establishment of a 46-bed modern neonatal care unit at Bacha Khan Medical Complex in Swabi, the installation of a medical gas pipeline system at Khyber Teaching Hospital for Rs. 75 million, and the launch of a digital portal for asset management. Geo-tagging of health centers under the Healthcare Commission has also been initiated to improve oversight and accountability.
The government has allocated Rs. 2.6 billion for the establishment of the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Children Hospital in Mardan and Rs. 7 billion for the rehabilitation of non-teaching district headquarters hospitals. A 25-bed dialysis unit has been established at Khyber Teaching Hospital, and Rs. 7 billion has been paid to clear health card arrears.
Notably, 36 percent of the total budget has been allocated to the health sector, surpassing the IMF target. The Sehat Card Scheme has been bolstered with Rs. 30.4 billion in funding, providing treatment facilities to over 789,000 patients. Additionally, Rs. 11 billion has been earmarked for the purchase of medicines, with Rs. 5 billion already released.
These transformative steps underscore the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare services and ensuring the well-being of its citizens. The achievements of the past year reflect a robust and forward-looking approach to addressing the healthcare needs of the province.
