KP Govt Plans to Keep 20% Income From Sehat Card

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government intends to keep 20% of the revenue generated by public hospitals through the Sehat Card Plus program, according to Dawn and Health Minister Khaliqur Rehman. The proposal has been presented to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, and it will be reviewed by the provincial cabinet upon completion. The government aims to bolster oversight of the scheme, ensuring funds are allocated to those who require treatment and that beneficiaries facing challenges in receiving care.

The Sehat Card Plus budget has been increased from Rs. 35 billion in 2025 to Rs. 41 billion. The KP government plans to expand Sehat Card Plus services at the local level. The 20% deduction is based on income generated by medical teaching institutions and other public hospitals. Public hospitals receive funding from the provincial budget, while doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other staff receive salaries from the same source.

Hospitals also earn income through user charges, including fees for investigations, admissions, and operation theaters. The health department is preparing amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universal Health Act, 2020, to provide legal backing for the proposed deduction, which requires approval from the provincial cabinet and the provincial assembly.

Since its inception, the KP government has spent over Rs. 155 billion under Sehat Card Plus, benefiting 5.7 million patients. More than half of this expenditure has been directed to public hospitals.