Last updated: October 11, 2026
“Sehat Card” and “Sehat Card Plus” are two names people mix up all the time. The result? They send their CNIC to the wrong number, wait for a reply that never comes, and think they are not eligible.
The truth is that there are two different programs: one for Punjab and one for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). Each has its own SMS number and its own helpline. This guide shows you which one is yours and how to check.
Please note: We are not part of any government program. The details below are from the official program pages when we checked. Coverage limits and rules can change, so confirm with the official helpline before you rely on any number. Nobody can “register” you for money. If someone asks for a fee, do not pay.
Which Sehat Card Is Yours?
| Punjab (Sehat Sahulat Program) | KPK (Sehat Card Plus) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Permanent residents of Punjab | Families of KPK registered with NADRA who have CNICs |
| Eligibility SMS | Send CNIC number to 8500 | Send CNIC number to 9780 |
| Helpline | 0800-09009 | 0800 89898 (24/7) |
| Treatment | Admitted (inpatient) treatment only | Inpatient services |
| Limit mentioned on the official page | Priority care Rs. 400,000 and secondary care Rs. 60,000 per family per year, with up to Rs. 1,000,000 in special circumstances | Up to Rs. 1 million per family per year |
If you live in Punjab, use 8500. If you live in KPK, use 9780. Do not mix them.
How to Check Eligibility
- Type your 13-digit CNIC number without dashes or spaces.
- Send it as an SMS to 8500 (Punjab) or 9780 (KPK).
- Wait a few minutes for the reply.
The reply tells you if you are eligible. If you are a permanent resident but the reply says you are not, the Punjab program tells people to visit a NADRA office to update their data. Changes to family data go through NADRA first and are then added to the program, which the Punjab page says takes about 4 to 6 months.
Who Is Covered? (Punjab)
- Husband and wife, and their unmarried children.
- Newborns born in an empaneled hospital are added automatically.
- For a baby born somewhere else, the family can add the child at an empaneled hospital’s help desk with the NADRA Form-B.
- Pre-existing conditions are covered.
How to Use the Card at a Hospital
- See a doctor first for non-emergency problems. The doctor decides if you need to be admitted.
- Go to an empaneled hospital. The Punjab page says you can use any empaneled hospital in Pakistan, government or private.
- Take your original CNIC. In Punjab, your CNIC acts as your Sehat Card.
- Find the Hospital Facilitation Officer (HFO) at the help desk. They help with admission.
- If the hospital refuses, talk to the HFO or call the helpline.
The KPK program also has a mobile app that, according to its official page, can show nearby panel hospitals, your balance and your treatment history, and lets you send a complaint.
What Is Usually Covered, and What Is Not
Punjab page: hospital admission, with medicines, tests and diagnostics while you are admitted. It lists examples such as fractures, heart procedures, cancer, dialysis, thalassemia and kidney transplant. It does not cover outpatient (OPD) visits, cosmetic surgery, dental problems, eyeglasses, drug addiction treatment, self-inflicted injuries or injuries from crimes. Unused amounts are not given as cash.
KPK page: free inpatient services up to the family limit, with areas such as accident and emergency, diabetes, kidney disease, hepatitis B and C, cancer, and heart and vascular diseases. Check the official excluded-treatments list for details.
Common Questions
I sent the SMS and got no reply. What now?
Check that you used the right number for your province and typed the CNIC correctly. If there is still no reply, call the helpline for your program.
Can I use the card for a doctor’s visit or OPD?
The Punjab page says only admitted (inpatient) treatment is covered, not OPD.
Does the card give me cash?
No. It pays for treatment at the hospital, not as money to you.
Is there a fee to get the card?
Not on the official pages. Do not pay anyone who says they can add you to the program.
Official Links and Helplines
- Punjab: official FAQ page. Helpline 0800-09009.
- KPK: Sehat Sahulat Program website. Helpline 0800 89898.
Final Words
Check your eligibility today, not on the day of an emergency. Save your province’s helpline number in your phone, and share this with a family member who may need it. For more simple guides on government schemes in Pakistan, keep visiting EarnExpertHub.
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