ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan on Friday said that Federal Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP) is fully functional as per the Prime Minster’s vision of unified universal health insurance for every citizen of Pakistan with a similar co-payment mechanism from affordable segment of the population to make it sustainable.

He said we will also strengthen Public health system and integrate Qaumi Sehat Card Program with Primary Healthcare to make it more sustainable for the Government.

He said this while chairing the National Steering Committee meeting of Federal Sehat Sahulat Program of Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination here in Islamabad.

The high level National Steering Committee meeting of Sehat Sahulat Program was attended by Provincial Health Ministers, Secretaries, CEOs of Federal and provincial Sehat Sahulat Program and others.

The meeting started with the presentation of Chief Executive Officer, SSP Muhammad Arshad on the current implementation status of Program. He briefed on the current Universal Health Insurance (UHI) coverage provided to the 2.5 million beneficiary families of AJK, GB, ICT and district Tharparkar through Federal funding.

Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar Ali Shallwani said we need to work hard to further improve on reassessment of empanelled hospitals and to consider high and private hospitals to enhance the benefit to the poor population at least for specialised procedures.

Dr Nadeem Jan in his concluding remarks appreciated all the provincial health ministers for their wonderful leadership and contribution to enrich the universal health program.

He assured that with the support of all stakeholders we will leave a better UHI system for the next Government to continue it for the benefit of all Pakistani Citizen.

He thanked all the stakeholders for attending the meeting and in principle agreeing on one Pakistan one UHI system.