Health Card Fails in Emergencies in Balochistan as Hospitals Deny Free Treatment, Patients Say

Quetta: Patients in Balochistan have expressed frustration over the alleged failure of the Health Card system during medical emergencies, claiming that many private hospitals refuse to provide free tests and treatment unless a patient is formally admitted.

According to reports, hospitals maintain that outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests, and medicines are not covered under the scheme unless the patient is admitted to a bed. This has raised concerns that the program is becoming ineffective in emergency situations.

The Health Card Program was introduced in previous years to provide citizens with free medical treatment, including procedures and medicines worth up to 1 million rupees. However, patients and observers say its practical benefits are not being fully delivered.

Despite multiple interventions and inquiries by the Balochistan government into complaints regarding the scheme, no significant improvement has been observed in implementation, according to sources.

Patients report that in many cases, hospitals require them to pay for initial consultations, tests, and medicines out of pocket, with Health Card coverage only becoming applicable after formal admission and, in some cases, only for surgical procedures.

Critics say this situation has undermined the purpose of the program, leading to financial strain on patients while public funds continue to be spent on the initiative without delivering adequate relief.

Health authorities have not yet issued a detailed response regarding the latest complaints.