{
  "id": 7499828,
  "title": "New Taxation ‘Disrupts’ Sehat Sahulat Surgical Services",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/new-taxation-disrupts-sehat-sahulat-surgical-services",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-15T07:29:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ProPakistani",
    "slug": "propakistani",
    "url": "https://propakistani.pk/2026/09/15/new-taxation-disrupts-sehat-sahulat-surgical-services/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nGynecological 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.\n\nThe 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.",
  "summary": "Surgical services under the Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP) have been significantly disrupted in Malakand Division, particularly in Lower Dir, following … Read More The post New Taxation ‘Disrupts’ Sehat Sahulat Surgical Services appeared first on ProPakistani .",
  "key_points": [
    "New taxes reduce Sehat Sahulat surgical services by 87% since September 1.",
    "Five private hospitals affiliated with SSP in Timergara affected.",
    "Gynecological services and dialysis continue under SSP program."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}