QUETTA: Numerous social media posts on Facebook and X claimed that the caretaker government in Balochistan introduced a health insurance programme in November aimed at offering free medical treatment the underprivileged. Despite being a month since its launch, these posts suggest that the service remains non-operational.
The claim is false.
Claim
The alleged claim suggests that individuals seeking coverage under the health card in Balochistan are reportedly being denied services at hospitals, as expressed by a user on platform X on November 18. A similar video message on Facebook features a man contending that the health card is inactive for the impoverished in the province.
Fact
Contrary to these claims, officials and various public and private hospitals in Balochistan confirm that the Balochistan Health Card Programme, initiated by the caretaker government on November 3, is actively functioning in 47 hospitals across the province. The list, accessible on the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan’s website, identifies 47 public and private hospitals in areas such as Dera Bugti, Gwadar, Hub, Kech, Khuzdar, Killa Abdullah, Loralai, Mastung, Nasirabad, Panjgur, Quetta, and Sibbi, where the health card is operational.
Asadullah Kakar, the CEO of the health programme in the province, has stated that in addition to the enlisted hospitals, another 40-50 hospitals are in the process of being included. The health card provides free medical treatment amounting to Rs1 million per family per year. Noor Mohammad Qazi, the director general of health in Balochistan, corroborates Kakar’s statement, affirming that the health card has been operational since November.
