Punjab Government Health Card Scheme for Transgender Persons

In a landmark step toward inclusivity and social welfare, the Government of Punjab has launched a special health card scheme for the transgender community (Khwaja Sira) in 2025. This initiative ensures that every transgender individual in Punjab has equal access to healthcare facilities, free medical treatment, and insurance coverage under the Sehat Sahulat Program.

This program represents a major policy shift by the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, focusing on healthcare equality, dignity, and protection for the most marginalized community in Pakistan.

The Need for a Health Card Scheme for Transgender Persons

Transgender persons in Pakistan, often referred to as Khwaja Sira, have faced decades of social exclusion, discrimination, and lack of access to basic facilities—especially healthcare.
Many members of this community are rejected by their families and live in conditions where medical assistance becomes a distant dream.

According to social welfare reports, a majority of transgender individuals face challenges like

• Lack of CNIC identity or documentation
• Denial of treatment in hospitals
• Financial barriers in private hospitals
• Psychological stress and health neglect

To address these long-standing inequalities, the Punjab government decided to extend the Sehat Sahulat Program (commonly known as the Health Card Scheme) to transgender citizens, offering them free healthcare coverage up to Rs. 600,000 per year.

What is Punjab Government Health Card Scheme?

The Punjab Health Card Scheme 2025 is a government-funded medical insurance initiative that provides cashless treatment to eligible citizens across Punjab. Through this card, individuals can avail free medical treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, and specialized care in both public and private hospitals that are registered under the program.

Under this scheme, transgender persons are now officially included as a special beneficiary group, ensuring that they enjoy equal healthcare rights like any other citizen of Punjab.

Punjab Government Health Card Scheme for the Transgender (Khwaja Sira) Community

The Punjab Government’s Health Department has introduced special facilities within the Sehat Sahulat framework to cater specifically to the needs of transgender persons. These include

1. Dedicated Health Card Distribution

• 1. • A special health card distribution ceremony was held in Lahore, where the Punjab Governor distributed Sehat Cards among transgender persons.

     • The initiative aims to reach every registered Khwaja Sira in the province.

  2. Healthcare Coverage up to Rs. 600,000 per year

     • Each transgender person is entitled to free treatment worth up to Rs. 600,000 annually in approved hospitals.

  3. Coverage for Major Diseases

     • Heart diseases, diabetes, hepatitis, kidney failure, cancer, and maternal health services are all covered.

     • Surgeries and emergency treatments are also included.

  4. Zero Discrimination Policy

     • Hospitals are instructed to treat transgender patients with respect and without any discrimination.

     • A complaint system is being established to address mistreatment cases.

  5. Special NADRA Desk for Registration

     • NADRA has created special counters to help transgender individuals register and update their CNIC gender category.

     • Once registered, they automatically qualify for a Sehat Sahulat Health Card.

  6. Integration with Masawaat Program (PSPA)

     • The Masawaat Program, initiated by the Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA), collaborates with the health card scheme to ensure medical camps, free checkups, and awareness programs for the transgender community.

Eligibility Criteria for the Health Card

To benefit from the Khwaja Sira Health Card Scheme 2025, you must meet the following eligibility conditions:

To apply for the health card, you’ll need the following documents:

• Valid CNIC showing gender as “Transgender”
• Proof of residence in Punjab (electricity bill, rent agreement, etc.)
• Passport-size photos
• Contact details
• Optional: Community verification letter from a recognized Khwaja Sira organization

How to Apply for the Khwaja Sira Health Card 2025

You can register for the Punjab Transgender Health Card through several easy methods:

Step 1: NADRA Registration

Visit your nearest NADRA center and ensure your CNIC has “Transgender” listed in the gender category. NADRA has now opened special help desks for transgender persons

Step 2: Sehat Sahulat Program Enrollment

Once your CNIC is updated, visit the Sehat Sahulat official portal or the Punjab Health Department office to check your eligibility. You can also use the official SMS method:

📱 Type: CNIC Number
📤 Send to: 8500

You’ll receive a message confirming your eligibility for the Sehat Sahulat Health Card.

Step 3: Receive Your Card

Eligible transgender persons will receive their physical Sehat Card at their given address or can collect it from designated distribution centers.

Step 4: Avail Free Treatment

Present your card at any panel hospital across Punjab to receive treatment free of cost, without paying upfront.

List of Major Hospitals Accepting Health Card

Some of the major hospitals offering free treatment under this program include:

• Jinnah Hospital, Lahore
• Mayo Hospital, Lahore
• Services Hospital, Lahore
• Nishtar Hospital, Multan
• Allied Hospital, Faisalabad
• Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi
• Shifa International, Islamabad (under selected cases)
• Private hospitals partnered with the Sehat Sahulat Program

Diseases and Treatments Covered

The health card provides coverage for both secondary and tertiary care, including:

Primary Coverage:

• Emergency treatment
• Basic health checkups
• Maternity and child health
• Routine diagnostics and lab tests

Secondary Coverage:

• Hospitalization (up to Rs. 60,000 per admission)
• Surgeries
• Intensive care
• Accidents and trauma

Tertiary Coverage:

• Heart surgeries (angioplasty, bypass)
• Cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiation)
• Kidney dialysis and transplant support
• Hepatitis and diabetes treatment

Benefits of the Scheme

1. Financial Relief: Free treatment reduces financial pressure on poor transgender individuals.
2. Social Inclusion: Recognition and dignity for the Khwaja Sira community.
3. Improved Health Access: Access to both private and government hospitals.
4. Awareness Campaigns: Health education and medical camps for transgender individuals. individuals
5. Zero-Cost Operations: Surgeries and diagnostics included.

Government’s Commitment

Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique stated that “the transgender community deserves equal rights to healthcare and social welfare.”
This scheme is part of the broader Punjab Social Protection Policy 2025, ensuring that no citizen is left behind—regardless of gender identity.

Governor Punjab has also distributed health cards among transgender persons in official ceremonies, marking the beginning of nationwide inclusion in welfare programs.

Challenges in Implementation

While the initiative is a major step forward, there are still challenges that need to be addressed:

• Lack of awareness among the transgender community
• Limited hospital staff training to handle sensitive cases
• An incomplete database of transgender citizens
• Social stigma and discrimination in hospital environments

The government is actively working with NGOs and transgender welfare organizations to improve these issues.

Future Goals and Expansion Plans

The Punjab government aims to:

• Establish separate medical help desks for transgender individuals in the Ninhospitals
• Launch a Helpline for Transgender Patients
• Provide mental health counseling and rehabilitation services
• Expand coverage to all districts of Punjab by the end of 2025

Conclusion

The Punjab Health Card Scheme for Transgender Persons (Khwaja Sira) is more than just a health initiative—it’s a symbol of inclusivity, equality, and respect. By offering free and dignified healthcare access, the Punjab government has taken a vital step toward empowering one of Pakistan’s most marginalized communities.

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