hareef Khan, an Afghan citizen, was devastated when he learnt that his son had a serious heart problem. He wanted the best medical care for his son and initially considered taking him to India. However, fate had other plans. He discovered the Peshawar Institute of Cardiology (PIC), a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to heart patients and offering cutting-edge treatment.

Upon arriving at the PIC, Shareef Khan and his son were received with warmth and provided high quality care. The surgery was conducted at a fraction of the cost he would have incurred elsewhere. Khan and his family are full of gratitude for the treatment their son received at the PIC. They are content and relieved.

Shareef Khan’s is not an isolated or rare case. According to PIC data, between December 17, 2022, and July 31, 2023, 1,108 Afghan citizens received essential medical care at the institute.

Prof Dr Shahkar Ahmad Shah, the PIC CEO, says that Afghan patients are treated with the same care and compassion as their Pakistani counterparts. He says the hospital is committed to providing equal facilities and charging the same fees, regardless of nationality.

The number of Afghan patients seeking medical treatment in Pakistan has been increasing. In the past, many would travel to India for heart treatment, but now they are opting for treatment in Pakistan. To accommodate more Afghan patients, the PIC has established a special counter staffed by individuals fluent in Afghan languages to ensure that they receive seamless assistance.

According to the Commissionerate of Afghan Refugees (CAR), the registered Afghan population currently residing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is 679,093. This includes 337,905 people living in refugee camps and 341,188 residing in urban areas. Additionally, there are 307,647 Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders living in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These numbers highlight the significant presence of Afghan citizens in the region.

The data from Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, reveals that between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, 21,669 Afghan patients were treated for various diseases. The hospital administration says that Afghan citizens are treated the same as the host communities. They receive the same treatment and facilities without any additional charges. The OPD registration fee is Rs 20 for everyone.

The Hayatabad Medical Complex treated 27,675 Afghan patients for various diseases over the last year. Another around 22,000 received treatment at the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, during the same period.

Mumtaz Khan, an Afghan citizen admitted to Khyber Teaching Hospital, says that he was hospitalised for an appendicitis problem and received the same facilities as other patients in the ward. He says he has requested the government to include registered Afghan citizens in its Sehat Card Plus programme to receive free medicine from the hospital.

Dr Zafar Zaheer, an assistant professor at IM Sciences and Task Lead at the EHS-GIZ Project, says a baseline study conducted in three districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – Haripur, Nowshera and Peshawar – has shown that these districts have a significant population of Afghan refugees living in urban areas and sharing public services with the host communities.

According to the study, there has been no discrimination between Afghan refugees and the host communities when it comes to accessing health services. Public sector hospitals treat Afghan refugees without asking them about their nationality. These hospitals provide free health services. The study did not find any instances of discrimination against Afghan refugees in these medical facilities.

The public sector hospitals, particularly those in the capital, often have an overwhelming workload. However, this has not led to a denial of health services to Afghan refugees.

Many Afghan refugees are familiar with the concept of universal health coverage and the free treatment offered through the Sehat Card Plus programme. Some segments of the Afghan population have expressed a desire to benefit from the free health coverage. They have proposed that Afghan refugees registered and legally residing in Pakistan should be included in the programme.

Deputy Commissioner Alamgir Khan from the Commissionerate of Afghan Refugees says efforts are being made to provide health and education facilities in refugee camps and to cater to the basic needs of Afghan citizens in Pakistan. Various tasks are undertaken through the Urban Refugees Support Unit to ensure timely healthcare provision for urban refugees. These include coordinating with health facilities, providing counseling and facilitating vaccination campaigns.

The commitment of hospitals in Peshawar to provide quality medical care without discrimination is commendable. The experience of Abdur Rehman, an Afghan citizen who now calls Peshawar home, is revealing. Rehman and his family say they have experienced the same respect and care as any other patient.

Rifat Anjum, the communication and media manager at the PIC, says all facilities and services are extended to Afghan patients in all hospitals across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Rifat says a significant initiative has been taken by the PIC to cater to the needs of Afghan patients.

A special counter was inaugurated at the PIC for Afghan patients, in a ceremony graced by the Afghan consul general in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This counter serves as a dedicated point of assistance and care for Afghan citizens seeking medical treatment. Importantly, Afghan patients receive guidance and support without incurring any extra fees or charges.

Anjum says that while some private hospitals might charge different costs or fee for their services, public sector hospitals like the PIC ensure that Afghan patients are treated with the same level of care and provided the facilities as any citizen of Pakistan.

The establishment of the special counter at the PIC has improved the experience of some Afghan patients, enabling them to navigate the medical procedures seamlessly.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Peshawar