PESHAWAR: The Institute of Kidney Diseases (IKD) in Peshawar has once again suspended the reserve fund, leaving hundreds of kidney patients—particularly those dependent on dialysis—facing serious medical hardships.
Patients and their families have termed the situation not just an administrative failure but a growing humanitarian crisis, urging immediate government intervention.
According to sources, the suspension of the fund has had a wide-reaching impact, affecting not only residents but also patients travelling from remote districts like Khyber and surrounding areas. Many of these patients have already exhausted the balance available on their Sehat Card Plus and are unable to bear out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Patients have expressed frustration, stating that they require dialysis every other day, but due to the funding suspension, several are being turned away as the hospital currently lacks the resources to provide free treatment.
Residents and patients’ families are calling on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the Health Department, the Sehat Card Plus program, and other relevant authorities to urgently restore the reserve fund. They warn that without immediate action, the crisis could escalate into a full-scale healthcare emergency.
In conversation with Pakhtun Digital, Dr. Rukhsana Qazi, the focal person at IKD, confirmed that the reserve fund was discontinued two days ago by government authorities. She noted that this is not the first time such a suspension has occurred, and patients have faced similar difficulties in the past. Dr. Qazi added that no official reason has been given for the current suspension, but the hospital administration is making efforts to secure alternate funding sources to prevent future disruptions.
On the other hand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Health Adviser, Ikhtisham Ali, stated that Rs. 100 million had already been released under the reserve fund to facilitate surgical procedures for kidney patients at IKD. He clarified that the fund has only been temporarily halted due to the conclusion of the current fiscal year and will be reinstated with the start of the new financial year. He also noted that free treatment under the Sehat Card Plus program continues and that the reserve fund is specifically intended for cases where treatment costs exceed the limits covered by the health card.
As patients wait for relief, pressure is mounting on provincial authorities to ensure that life-saving treatments are not interrupted and that a more sustainable funding mechanism is put in place for one of the region’s most critical health facilities.
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