Effectiveness of Sehat Saholet Cards in Punjab Province

Abstract

Sociology of health studies social, cultural, and economic aspects of health and disease as a social institution. This research in the domain of the sociology of health focuses on health as a measure of social security. The government of Pakistan has initiated a health insurance scheme called the “Sehat Insaaf Card”. The basic aim of this card is to provide free-of-charge medical services to financially backward segments of the population. The main aim of this research endeavour is “to assess the performance and role of the Sehat Sahulat card”. The research also analyses the problems facing the patients and the role of hospital staff in overcoming the problems. This study was conducted in Faisalabad where four hundred thousand such cards are distributed. As ten hospitals are registered with the Sehat Sahulat program so, data was obtained from a sample of 100 patients from these hospitals. The data was obtained using a questionnaire consisting of 45 questions. This data was analyzed using SPSS software. It was found that males and females are equally satisfied with the service. However, the major problem was the correction of the record and the number of centers for the distribution of the card. Females faced more challenges as compared to males in the mismanagement of records/information. To overcome these problems, it is suggested that employees should be given proper training. If possible, the government must establish new centers which will reduce the load on existing centres.