Pakistan Unveils Innovative Health Card Mobile App

To enhance residents’ access to healthcare, the Health Ministry and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) have launched the Mera Sehat Card smartphone application.

A total of 8.4 million individuals, including 2.5 million families, will gain access to the app through universal coverage in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Azad Kashmir (AJK), and Tharparkar (Sindh). The application provides comprehensive details, including treatment history, remaining balance, and information about family members, ensuring a seamless experience at medical facilities. Thanks to the implementation of universal health coverage under the Sehat Sahulat Program in 2016, all permanent residents of Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Tharparkar can now access basic healthcare services using their computerized national identity cards (CNICs).

For the general public, an SMS service has already been launched to address eligibility questions. During the Wednesday event held at NADRA Headquarters to unveil the newly designed mobile application, Interim Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan emphasized the government’s commitment to using technology to improve healthcare services. The Sehat Sahulat Program has been a pioneer in adopting digitalization in healthcare from the outset. Dr. Jan remarked that the remarkable progress we witness today is the result of this faith in the transformative power of technology. Dr. Jan emphasized that NADRA, in its role as a technical collaborator with the Health Ministry, has been actively engaged in the Sehat Sahulat Programme from the very beginning. NADRA is committed to facilitating beneficiaries’ access to vital healthcare services using their CNICs, all while ensuring they do not face any financial burdens.

In addition to Dr. Jan, the Interim Health Minister for Balochistan and a WHO official also spoke at the event. Sajid Shah, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry, informed Dawn that the Mera Sehat Card mobile application aims to revolutionize the healthcare experience and establish a comprehensive information repository for eligible residents. The application boasts an array of features, including a streamlined eligibility verification process for beneficiaries to confirm their entitlement to healthcare benefits and access to family members’ information through a one-time passcode (OTP) verification.

A digital version of the Qaumi Sehat Card is immediately accessible, featuring thorough record-keeping of medical treatment histories, a list of covered therapies, and a complete directory of the institutions that are empaneled, as per Mr. Shah. The mobile application allows users to monitor their balance and the available healthcare benefits. A dedicated FAQ section has been created to address frequently asked questions and concerns, and seamless integration with Google Maps supports and guides patients in locating healthcare institutions, according to the representative.