Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved an increase in rates for various cardiac procedures covered under the health card scheme for free treatment of heart disease patients.
The rates for all free cardiac procedures under the health card in hospitals will see an average increase of 40%, effective from next month, August.
Dr. Riaz Tanoli, CEO of the Health Plus Program, stated that some cardiac procedures will see a 5% increase, while others may experience up to a 100% increase. Overall, an average rate increase of 40% has been approved.
The demand for an increase in rates for cardiac procedures has been ongoing for a long time. With the new rate adjustments, patients will face reduced waiting times and fewer difficulties in cardiology services.
Dr. Tanoli explained that the rates for cardiac procedures have remained unchanged since 2016.
The costs for implants, diagnostic reagents, medicines, and utility charges used in cardiac procedures have increased.
Due to the rise in the price of dollars, imported medical equipment has become more expensive.
Currently, 27% of the health card budget is allocated to heart disease treatments. So far, 169,107 cardiac procedures have been performed under the health card scheme.