Peshawar: Patients suffering from burn injuries and their caretakers at the Peshawar Burn Centre are facing a critical situation where they are being denied free treatment under the provincial government’s Sehat Card (Health Card) program. This failure has imposed a heavy financial strain on the families of underprivileged patients.
Caretakers voiced deep distress, complaining that they are being forced to fund their loved ones’ treatment out of their own pockets. They claimed to be purchasing medicines and covering the costs of necessary lab tests privately. They have appealed to the provincial government to immediately intervene and provide the much-needed financial assistance.
In response, the Burn Centre management acknowledged that the Sehat Card facility is not yet fully operational. The administration, however, claimed that basic free treatment facilities are currently being offered to patients. Crucially, the management clarified that treatment via the Sehat Card will officially commence from December 1st, but emphasized that the expensive facility of plastic surgery will not be available under the scheme for the time being.
This situation highlights existing flaws within the province’s health infrastructure, where individuals suffering from severe conditions struggle to access government support even during medical emergencies.
