PESHAWAR, April 3, 2026 – Highlighting the sharp increase in health budget to Rs274 billion, treatment of over 1.08 million patients under the Sahulat Health Programme, and notable improvement in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) index, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information, Shafi Jan, and Provincial Health Minister Khaliq-ur-Rehman on Friday briefed the media on: Major reforms and progress in Khyber. Health sector in Pakhtunkhwa
Shafi Jan said that the provincial government is taking practical steps to improve health care delivery and has placed the health sector among its top priorities.
He noted that the health budget has increased significantly since 2013, rising from Rs 30.3 lakh one billion To about 275 billion rupees, while 274 billion rupees were allocated for the fiscal year.
He said that the pioneering “Sahhat Saholat” program now covers all residents of the governorate. From January to November 2025, more than 1.085 million patients were treated at a cost of Rs 31.6 billion.
He said, in a detailed statement, that 64 percent of patients were treated in public hospitals and 31 percent in private facilities, describing this as a reflection of the growing public confidence in government hospitals.
The government also facilitates expensive and complex treatments, he added. So far, 35 liver transplants have been performed at a cost of Rs190 million, 117 kidney transplants at a cost of Rs194 million, and 175 cochlear implants at a cost of Rs440 million.
Shafi Jan also said that 200 basic health units and 50 rural health centers are being developed as BEmONC centers to ensure maternal and emergency healthcare at the local level, while 89 flood-affected health facilities are also being rehabilitated.
He said that to overcome the staff shortage, 432 doctors and specialists have been appointed, while work is underway to recruit 1,425 doctors, 250 dental surgeons and 764 nurses.
He added that overall, more than 22,000 new jobs were created in the health sector, increasing the number of workers in the medical field from 2,520 to 6,531.
Highlighting governance reforms, he said a roadmap of 48 key initiatives has been developed, with 141 sub-measures already completed.
Digital records of more than 91,000 employees were also collected.
He said that modern systems, including electronic registration, biometric attendance and medication ordering portals, have been introduced to enhance transparency and efficiency.
Shafi Jan stressed the government’s commitment to continue strengthening the healthcare system to ensure quality, timely and accessible medical services for all citizens.