Official data reveals that nearly 80% of C-sections under Punjab’s Sehat Card Programme were performed by obstetricians in private hospitals, raising concerns over substantial financial gains made at taxpayers’ expense. This pattern emerged from an analysis of delivery procedures from 2016 to January 2024 under the Sehat Sahulat Programme, with private hospitals claiming Rs16.36 billion for C-sections and normal delivery procedures. The substantial portion of government payments for these procedures benefitted private healthcare owners significantly.
The Punjab Health Initiative Management Company (PHIMC), which manages the province’s extensive health scheme, reported 668,238 C-sections during this period, with private facilities conducting 525,619 of these, compared to 142,619 in government hospitals. This discrepancy has alarmed medical experts, prompting calls for an independent investigation.
Additionally, data indicated 210,124 normal deliveries across Punjab, with a higher number in public hospitals. A senior medical professional suggested an external review to uncover why a disproportionate number of C-sections occurred in private versus public settings, hinting at the potential exploitation of patients for financial gain. The higher remuneration obstetricians support this claim receive for C-sections over natural births, despite the latter being safer.
In 2023, private hospitals claimed Rs7.19 billion, showcasing a growing trend in C-section claims after the health card scheme’s introduction. Responding to these concerns, the Punjab government briefly banned C-sections in private hospitals in mid-2023 to curb escalating costs. However, this led to public hospitals declining health card deliveries due to insufficient compensation, though they continued to serve non-health card holders. PHFMC’s CEO declined to comment on the matter, highlighting the complexity and sensitivity of the issue.
