Drug Rehab is Now Included in Health Card Program
In a major policy step toward addressing substance abuse, the government has officially included drug rehabilitation services in the national Health Card program. The initiative is being hailed as a breakthrough in making mental health and addiction treatment more accessible to vulnerable communities across Pakistan.
Officials from the Ministry of Health announced that individuals struggling with drug addiction will now be able to access rehabilitation facilities free of cost under the Sehat Sahulat Program. This coverage includes counseling, detoxification, medical treatment, and long-term rehabilitation services at accredited centers.
Health experts have long advocated for the inclusion of addiction treatment in mainstream healthcare policy, noting that drug abuse has become a growing crisis in urban and rural areas alike. According to recent studies, thousands of young Pakistanis face substance dependency but cannot afford proper care.
The move has been widely welcomed by rehabilitation specialists, civil society activists, and families of patients. Many view it as a crucial acknowledgment that addiction is a health condition, not merely a social stigma. Authorities said the initiative will also help in reducing crime and improving social stability by offering recovery pathways.
The government has assured that monitoring mechanisms will be in place to ensure transparency and quality of services, while awareness campaigns will be launched to encourage those in need to come forward.
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خلاصہ (اردو میں):
حکومت نے ہیلتھ کارڈ پروگرام میں منشیات کے علاج کو شامل کر لیا ہے۔ اب نشے کے مریض مفت بحالی مراکز میں علاج اور کونسلنگ کی سہولیات حاصل کر سکیں گے۔
