Fallout of political crisis: Sehat programme faces risk of closure in Punjab over non-payment of Rs83bn dues.

LAHORE -- The State Life Insurance Company (SLIC) has hinted at the closure of the Sehat Sahulat Programme in Punjab due to the non-payment of pending liabilities to the tune of Rs83bn.

It was the first-ever clear warning the company has issued to close the flagship scheme of former prime minister Imran Khan in Punjab where over 25m families were getting free treatment at 724 public and private hospitals.

One of the major reasons behind the sorry state of affairs and possible closure of the programme is stated to be political motives.

Sources said that the PML-N government, during its brief tenure last year, had given a signal to slow down the health card programme launched by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), setting aside the success stories of the mega scheme, which was rendering free healthcare service to all citizens.

Insurance company warns of halting services from April 1; PHIMC says govt pledged Rs10bn, the programme to continue

'In absence of due premium payment from the Punjab government, the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan would not be able to continue services under Sehat Sahulat Programme after April 1, 2023,' reads the official document pertaining to the company's warning.

It informed the Punjab government in writing about the possible closure of the programme on March 14 after sending several reminders for clearance of the pending dues.

According to the documents, huge funds of about Rs125bn were allocated by the Punjab govt for the Sehat Sahulat Programme for the fiscal year of 2022-23 to cater for the health needs of people in Punjab.

Of them, the government released Rs31bn while Rs94bn are yet to be released.

The insurance company has complained that the current premium invoices of Rs83.5bn are pending with the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company (PHIMC), mandated for the execution of the Sehat Sahulat Programme in Punjab.

A PHIMC official said the PTI had extended the scope of the programme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Islamabad during its tenure where all families were the beneficiaries of the programme. He said the programme's prime objective was to improve access of the underprivileged to quality medical services through a micro-health insurance scheme.

The PTI's Sehat Sahulat Programme was well-received by the general public, he said, adding that the federal and provincial governments also extended a massive amount of financial support. The contract was awarded to the State Life Insurance...

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