Islamabad, December 13, 2021 (PPI-OT): Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the decision to launch the Naya Pakistan Health Insurance Program was taken in sympathy of poor segments of society. He was addressing the ceremony of launching Naya Pakistan Health Card Program in Punjab, at Governor’s House in Lahore on Monday. Imran Khan said that Riyasat-e-Madina was the first welfare state in world history. He said that a welfare state like Madina can only be established once humanity is served in any country.
He said that our family had to face many hardships when my mother was suffering from cancer. Then I had thought about building a cancer hospital especially for poor people. He said that Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital was set up under the same philosophy. He said that ten billion rupees are spent annually for treatment of cancer patients at Shaukat Khanum Hospital.
Prime Minister said Pakistan was meant to be Islamic welfare state under the Objectives Resolution. He appreciated the Punjab Chief Minister and Health Minister for launching Naya Pakistan Health Card Program in province. Imran Khan said that thirty million Health Cards will be distributed among all families in province within three month, starting from Lahore in January next year.
He said that PTI Government’s economic policy during Corona crisis was appreciated by world community and we did not enforce strict lockdown despite opposition’s criticism, because we considered about welfare of poor people here.
He said that measures are being taken to control price hike, though it is a global trend these days. The Prime Minister said that 440 billion rupees will be spent on the Health Card Programme in three years. He said that due to this programme, the private sector will be encouraged to invest in the healthcare sector and hospitals will be set up in every backward area. He said that every possible step is being taken to facilitate the public during price hike time.
He said that Ehsaas Ration Card will be provided to half the population of Pakistan with every family whose monthly income is below fifty thousand rupees and they will get a thirty per cent discount on flour, pulses and sugar from ‘Karyana’ stores. He said that six point two million scholarships are being provided to youth, worth forty-seven billion rupee, to encourage deserving students from poor families.
Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said that the health sector is the Punjab Government’s top priority. He said that nine hospitals have been set up in the last three years. In her address, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid said that eight point five million Health Cards have been distributed in Punjab so far.
She said that under this program, thirty million families will be provided Health Cards by March next year. She said that the Prime Minister’s vision is of human service. Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar was also present on the occasion.
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