Lahore, In an effort to enhance the health insurance system, the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company hosted the first sub-committee meeting of the working group on health insurance under the chairmanship of Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the meeting brought together top medical experts and health officials, including Special Secretary Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Vice Chancellor Dr. Masood Sadiq, and other prominent figures from Punjab’s medical and educational institutions. The session focused on reviewing the current state of health insurance reforms and gathering expert opinions on necessary improvements.
Minister Rafiq criticized past administrations for their handling of health insurance policies, alleging that previous programs under different governments misused resources meant for public health. He emphasized the need for rectifying these issues to prevent politicization of health insurance and to ensure that it serves the best interest of the public. The minister also highlighted the urgency of shifting from a high rate of cesarean surgeries to normal deliveries and improving the capacity of government hospitals.
The meeting also served as a platform for stakeholders to voice their suggestions on how to enhance the health insurance framework to better meet the needs of Punjab’s citizens. Minister Rafiq reaffirmed his commitment to revamping the financial model of the health insurance program to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability.