Utilisation Challenges of Public Health Insurance Initiatives: Evidences from Sehat Sahulat Programme (SSP) in Pakistan

Abstract

Healthcare utilisation largely depends on both demand and supply-side factors. On the supply side, health infrastructure could be better to serve the population’s needs, whereas, on the demand side, affordability is the main challenge, especially for poor households. Health insurance provides an opportunity to avail of decent health facilities. The government of Pakistan launched the Sehat Sahulat Programme (SSP) to provide equitable and affordable indoor health services through public-driven health insurance.

The current study has analysed the SSP by focusing on the factors that may reduce the in-door utilisation of health services. Besides secondary analysis, we have managed the qualitative and quantitative field survey by conducting in-depth interviews with all the supply and demand side stakeholders. A household survey is also carried out with the beneficiaries.