ISLAMABAD — In a landmark decision to enforce the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the federal government has officially ruled out any further funding for provincial health insurance schemes. This move terminates federal financial support for provincial health cards, including the Prime Minister’s Sehat Sahulat Programme (SSP), beyond June 2025 for all provinces except federally administered territories.
Devolved Health Responsibility
- The Directive: Provinces must now fund their own social health protection schemes from their respective budgets.
- Legal Basis: Strict compliance with the 18th Amendment, which classifies health as a devolved provincial subject.
- Excluded Areas: Funding will only continue for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
- Funding Gap: A request to include Sindh’s Tharparkar district was rejected to avoid a “slippery slope” of similar provincial demands.
The Revised Sehat Sahulat Programme (2025–2027)
The federal government has approved Rs. 40.2 billion for a modified version of the SSP, now rebranded as the Prime Minister’s National Health Programme. This funding is strictly capped for residents of federal territories.
| Region | Status | Funding Source |
| ICT, AJK, GB | Active (until June 2027) | Federal Development Budget |
| Punjab | Independent (Sehat Card Plus) | Provincial Budget |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Independent (Sehat Card) | Provincial Budget |
| Sindh & Balochistan | No Federal Support | Must initiate Provincial/Contributory schemes |
Shift Toward “Contributory” Health Insurance
The federal special committee, led by the Planning Minister, has recommended that provinces move away from fully subsidized models. Instead, the Centre has proposed:
- Claim Co-payments: Adopting the model used in Punjab where patients share a small portion of the cost.
- Social Health Insurance (SHI): A transition toward a contributory basis where citizens or employers contribute to the insurance pool.
- Recurrent Budget Shift: The SSP will eventually move from the development budget (PSDP) to the recurrent budget to ensure long-term sustainability for federal territories.
Impact on Vulnerable Populations
The decision marks a significant shift from the 2019 policy where the federal government absorbed premiums for several provinces. By citing an overstretched Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), the Centre is forcing a fiscal correction that places the burden of healthcare directly on provincial leadership.
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Key takeaway for citizens: If you are a permanent resident of AJK, GB, or Islamabad, your coverage is secure until June 30, 2027. Residents of other provinces must now look to their provincial health departments for insurance updates.
Punjab government ends the implementation of Sehat Sahulat Programme in public sector hospitals from June 30 — only private hospitals accept Sehat Cards now. Critics say healthcare coverage has shrunk, costs for patients have surged. The Government claims the new CM Health… pic.twitter.com/nfc0M2OwjG
— Voicepk.net (@voicepkdotnet) July 1, 2025
