New Taxation ‘Disrupts’ Sehat Sahulat Surgical Services

Surgical services provided through the Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP) in Malakand Division's Lower Dir have been severely impacted by the introduction of new taxes. Previously, approximately 200 surgeries were conducted daily under the SSP, but this number has plummeted to around 20 per day since September 1. The remaining procedures are now being carried out privately, with patients bearing the cost.

The affected hospitals are the five private facilities affiliated with the SSP in Timergara, Lower Dir's district headquarters. These institutions were major contributors to the SSP's surgical procedures, particularly orthopedic and other major operations. The primary cause of the decline in services is the imposition of a 15% withholding tax and a 14% service tax, which together account for a 29% reduction in the overall package amount.

The SSP payment structure allocates 60% of the package to hospitals and 40% to doctors. However, medical practitioners claim that the accumulated taxes have significantly diminished their income from SSP procedures. Health officials have acknowledged that the current compensation rates for surgeries are insufficient and require revision. They emphasize that existing package rates make it challenging for hospitals to cover operational costs, medical supplies, and surgical equipment.

Gynecological services and dialysis treatments, however, continue to be provided under the SSP. Private hospital management reports indicate that while they have continued to offer treatment despite increased operational costs and taxes, the refusal of some doctors to perform surgeries is adversely affecting healthcare access for low-income patients.

The disruption has placed additional pressure on the District Headquarters Hospital in Timergara, as more patients seek treatment at government facilities. With a population of approximately 1.6 million, Lower Dir has a substantial number of residents relying on the SSP for medical care. Residents have called upon the provincial government, State Life Insurance Corporation, and other stakeholders to address the taxation and remuneration issues and restore surgical services under the SSP program.