Last updated on Friday, 11, July, 2025
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EMR Mandatory for Sehat Card in Swat: KP Government Makes Digital Records Compulsory for All Hospitals
Mingora, Swat (July 11, 2025) – In a major healthcare policy shift, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has declared Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software mandatory for all hospitals in Swat, linking compliance directly to the Sehat Card Plus program. The new directive, effective immediately, sets an October 31, 2025, deadline, after which non-compliant hospitals will be barred from treating Sehat Card patients.
Why EMR is Now Mandatory for Sehat Card in Swat
The KP Health Department issued an official circular (Ref: KP/H&ME/Tech/EMR-Swat/2025/01) stating that EMR integration is essential for:
✔ Seamless Sehat Card claims processing
✔ Eliminating fraudulent billing
✔ Improving patient care through digital records
✔ Enabling data-driven healthcare policies
“Hospitals without EMR cannot generate the digital treatment proofs required for Sehat Card claims. This move ensures transparency and efficiency,” said Dr. Riaz Tanoli, Director of Sehat Sahulat Program KP.
Impact on Swat’s Hospitals
Public Hospitals
- Saidu Teaching Hospital and other major facilities must upgrade existing systems.
- Rural Health Centres (RHCs) face challenges due to limited IT infrastructure.
Private Hospitals & Clinics
- Larger hospitals already use EMRs, but smaller clinics must adopt affordable solutions.
- The KP government will provide subsidized EMR software and training.
Strict Consequences for Non-Compliance
Hospitals failing to implement EMR by October 31, 2025, will:
❌ Be removed from the Sehat Card network
❌ Lose Sehat Card patients, affecting revenue
❌ Face potential penalties or audits
Public & Professional Reaction
- Patients: “If this stops fake billing and speeds up treatment, we support it,” said Fazal Rabi, a Mingora resident.
- Doctors: Worry about extra admin work during transition.
- Hospital Admins: Seek government support for internet and training in remote areas.
What’s Next?
The Swat EMR mandate could expand to all KP districts if successful. The government is also working on:
🔹 Better internet connectivity for rural hospitals
🔹 Training programs for medical staff
🔹 Centralized health data analytics
Final Verdict
The EMR mandatory rule for Sehat Card in Swat marks a digital healthcare revolution—but its success depends on smooth implementation and support for smaller clinics through reliable solutions like EMR Software by Instacare.