Those who looted the money of country go abroad for treatment: PM Imran Khan
ISLAMABAD, Jan 26 (SABAH): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday launched the Naya Pakistan Qaumi Sehat Card scheme for the residents of Islamabad and said Pakistan would “set an example” for the world through this Rs450 billion welfare initiative. PM Imran Khan said that those who looted the money of country go abroad for treatment. He said that the former chief minister Punjab was used to roam while wearing cap and boots. The kind of campaign run against CM Punjab Sardar Usman Ahmed Khan Buzrar was not run against any other chief minister but when the results of the survey came he was declared the best chief minister in the country. He said that the national security of the country is provided by the nation, adding that when the nation makes decision and owns the country then the nation and country become strong. He said that all the rulers who came in Pakistan were of the view that first the prosperity should come then we will move towards the welfare state. He said that there two things in the state of Madina, adding that one thing was that the state took responsibility of its weakest segment and second ensured the rule of law.
Under the scheme, all families of Islamabad, Punjab, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, and Tharparkar will be provided free medical treatment at government and private hospitals. The card will enable every family to avail healthcare facilities up to one million rupees in a year.
“We will be an example to the world of what a welfare state is,” PM Imran Khan told the participants of the ceremony, where Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar, Special Assistant to PM on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, and others were present. “This will prove as a defining moment in improvement of healthcare services in Pakistan,” he said.
In Pakistan, he said, the launch of such a facility was a “landmark step” to accommodate people bearing the burden of expensive medical treatment.
The prime minister said anyone with the card could get themselves treated at any private medical facility, lamenting that the country’s health system was functional only to “serve the elites”. He said doctors did not go to rural areas to continue their practice, and as a result, people living there were unable to get quality healthcare. “People [go to] Islamabad and Rawalpindi from Mianwali to get themselves treated.”
He mentioned that the government was establishing five mother and child hospitals in view of the high mortality rate from neonatal and pregnancy complications.
The prime minister said the Rehmatul Lil Alameen Authority would also highlight the way of life of the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) who emphasised on empathy for the poor and deserving.
Criticising the Opposition, the prime minister said a campaign was launched against the Punjab chief minister. “The campaign against him is like nothing that I have ever seen.” But despite the campaign, the prime minister noted that in a recent survey, people had expressed satisfaction over the development works and performance of CM Buzdar.
For his part, the chief minister said by the end of March, all of Punjab will be able to access facilities of the Sehat Card. “The government has increased the health budget by 200%.”
Earlier addressing the ceremony, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said all the people in thirty-six districts will be covered with this healthcare by March this year. He said four hundred billion rupees are being spent on the programme.
The Chief Minister said twenty-three new hospitals, including eight mother and child hospitals, are being constructed in the province while 158 others are being upgraded.
Meanwhile, addressing the ceremony, Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr. Faisal Sultan said the Sehat Card facility would be extended to people across the country, gradually, as he claimed Pakistan was moving towards becoming a welfare state. He said a “silent revolution” was taking place in Pakistan’s health sector. Dr Sultan added that the Sehat Card would help middle-class families as their budget was affected whenever someone from their family suffers health issues. He said Sehat Sahulat Programme is a major step toward a welfare state. He said several serious diseases will be treated free through this card.