Punjab’s caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir has firmly rejected the termination of cardiology facilities on the Sehat card, ensuring uninterrupted access to these services for patients, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing a press conference along with caretaker health minister Dr. Javed Akram, he said there is no truth in the news of stopping heart treatment on Sehat Card. 

This announcement comes in response to the widespread  ‘rumors’ that the Punjab government has suspended heart ailment treatment on the health card.

The health minister Javed Akram said that the provincial government is not abolishing health cards and now identity cards will be considered as the Sehat card.

He said such news regarding abolishing the health cards is wrong and the treatment of the poor is not stopped and now the Sehat card facility will be given free only for those who are poor. 

Javed Akram said people became billionaires with health cards designed for the convenience of the poor.

He said there was no check and balance on Sehat card and the national treasury would pay as much as the doctor prescribes the expenses and prices of medicines.

He said the Punjab government is going to create its own data on poor people.

 Refusing to halt treatment through the health card, Amir Mir said the government is determined to ensure that cardiology facilities continue to be accessible to the public.

Aamir Mir said that former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif introduced health cards only for the poor in 2015.

“It became a mafia in the name of Sehat Card during the PTI era and people became billionaires with it, he lamented.

Dr Javed Akram said that the mafia exploited the Sehat card. “The mafia running private hospitals misused the Sehat card and they placed unnecessary stenting just to mint the money. 

Dr. Javed Akram said that the government is in the process of negotiating a new contract with the Punjab State Life Insurance Company, with the goal of making further improvements to provide enhanced facilities to the public through the health card system.