Sharif launches National Health Programme in Balochistan

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated the National Health Programme in the country's southwestern province of Balochistan.

According to reports, the National Health Programme under which 300,000 poor patients were likely to avail free treatment, will initially be launched in Quetta, Loralai, Turbat and Lasbela districts of Balochistan.

"The programme has been launched to provide health facilities to people living below poverty line," Sharif said during an address in the Balochistan Governor House, the Express News reported.

"Some 76,000 families in Balochistan will receive their national health cards today," the premier said, adding that through this programme, the poor can get treated for fatal diseases without spending any money.

"We need to change the political culture in the country," he added. "We have to change the ongoing culture in which only the wealthy and powerful have privileges."

"Providing the nation with health facilities, education and employment is not a favour, it is each citizen's fundamental right," Sharif added.

--IANS

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