Prime Minister Imran Khan says the universal health coverage will greatly contribute to transform Pakistan into a welfare state.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of Naya Pakistan Qaumi Sehat Card in Islamabad on Wednesday.

The health card will enable every family in Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Tharparkar to get medical facility up to one million rupees not only in government hospitals but in the designated private hospitals as well.

The Prime Minister said this is a defining moment in Pakistan as the weaker segment of the society is going to avail the healthcare being enjoyed so far only by the elite.

He said uplifting of the poor and rule of law are the two main principles being followed to make Pakistan a true welfare state on the pattern of the State of Madina. He said this is the biggest ever health program being executed in the country with a hefty amount of 450 billion rupees.

Imran Khan said Qaumi Sehat Sahulat Programme will establish a new health system in the country. It would lead to a health competition among the government and private hospitals. The private hospitals, which are being facilitated in land acquisition and import of medical equipment, would move to rural areas.

Earlier addressing the ceremony, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said all the people in thirty-six districts will be covered with this healthcare by March this year. He said four hundred billion rupees are being spent on the programme.

The Chief Minister said twenty-three new hospitals, including eight mother and child hospitals, are being constructed in the province while 158 others are being upgraded.

In his introductory remarks, Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr. Faisal Sultan said Sehat Sahulat Programme is a major step toward a welfare state. 

He said several serious diseases will be treated free through this card.