Federal Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has officially revived the Sehat Sahulat Health Facilitation Program in Islamabad, aiming to provide free medical treatment and improved healthcare services to deserving patients after years of suspension.

The program has been reintroduced across 42 hospitals in Islamabad and surrounding twin cities, marking a significant step toward expanding access to affordable healthcare. In the initial phase, eligible patients will receive free treatment for up to two years, with plans to gradually include free outpatient department (OPD) services in the third year.

During a visit to Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, the minister met patients and reviewed ongoing healthcare facilities, reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving service delivery in the health sector.

He said the government is now collecting real-time data on patient treatment and expenditures to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective monitoring of the program. Kamal warned that any hospital found violating rules or involved in corrupt practices would be immediately removed from the scheme.

The minister noted that Islamabad’s population has exceeded 3.5 million, while hospitals in the capital are also serving patients from Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Rawalpindi, and other surrounding regions, putting significant pressure on existing healthcare infrastructure.

Citing a World Health Organization report, he stated that around 13 million people in Pakistan are currently living below the poverty line. He also revealed that Rs. 2 billion has already been spent on patient treatment over the last five months under health initiatives.

Kamal further emphasized that despite a combined health budget of Rs. 1,156 billion, patient satisfaction remains below 10 percent, highlighting the need for urgent reforms. He added that universal health coverage could be achieved with a budget of Rs. 210 billion, though Pakistan would require 5,000 additional hospitals to fully implement the system nationwide.

The minister described universal health coverage as the future of healthcare, noting that many countries are already moving toward similar models to ensure equitable access for all citizens.