Thursday, March 28, 2024

Health card being given to people who are under poverty line: Zafar

Health card being given to people who are under poverty line: Zafar
September 15, 2019
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza said on Sunday that the government is giving health card to those people who are under the poverty line. Addressing a conference, the special assistant said social health insurance is also being given to the vulnerable and downtrodden segments of the society as it is the fundamental component of universal health coverage. He said that ensuring “Universal Health Coverage” is vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to provide people with essential and quality healthcare facilities according to their need. He also said investing in the primary health care system is of vital importance to achieve the goals of universal healthcare. He said about 70 to 80 per cent of necessary health care can be provided at the primary healthcare level. He said we are fully focused to strengthen the primary healthcare system in the country. The special assistant on National Health Services said the facility of health card is being extended to the special persons and deserving oversees Pakistanis as well. He said the government is bringing revolutionary changes in the health sector. He said Islamabad will be made a model city with regard to health in collaboration with public and private partnership. He said the government is committed to provide quality healthcare services to the general public.
Earlier, Ehsaas Program Chairperson and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar announced that the federal government will provide Health Insaaf Cards to 60 million people till the end of this year.
Social protection to vulnerable segments of society
Addressing a news conference on Saturday, the special assistant said that the government would provide social protection to vulnerable segments of society through a number of programmes. Dr Sania said despite current austerity drive of the government and voluntary decision of many public sector institutions to not ask for more budget, the budget allocated for social protection has been doubled. She said social protection aims at measures for poorest of the poor, those facing calamity and disabled people.