TY  - JOUR
T1  - SEHAT SAHULAT PROGRAM AND ITS EFFECTS ON HEALTHCARE UTILIZATION PATTERNS IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN
AU  - Rahman, H
AU  - Ullah, Zakir
AU  - Haq, Ihtisham
PY  - 2025
DA  - August
Y2  - 2025
DO  - 10.5281/zenodo.16743984
JF  - IJASOS- International E-journal of Advances in Social Sciences
JO  - IJASOS
PB  - OCERINT International Organization Center of Academic Research
WT  - DergiPark
SN  - 2411-183X
SP  - 29
EP  - 35
VL  - 11
IS  - 32
LA  - en
AB  - In 2015, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government introduced the Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP), a publicly sponsored health insurance scheme aiming at reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses of the public. Despite the program's implementation in both the public and private sectors, some previous studies indicate a higher utilization of private hospitals services compared to public hospitals under SSP. This paper examines the key factors that influence patients' preferences for private healthcare under SSP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, focusing on the quality of services provided by both the private and public sectors. Data was obtained using quantitative questionnaires on the key variables such as patient load, quality care, resource availability, personalized care, and supervision, influencing healthcare utilization decisions. This study's theoretical approach comprises the Theory of Planned Behavior, Rational Choice Theory, and Social Cognitive Theory. Patients' decisions were found to be primarily influenced by perceptions of better quality of care, higher resource availability, and more personalized treatment in private hospitals. The study provides evidence-based insights into healthcare utilization trends, emphasizing the need for strategic reforms in public sector healthcare services to provide fair access and make the best use of public funds. Finally, this study contributes to a better knowledge of healthcare dynamics in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as to the larger discussion on healthcare policy and management in Pakistan.
KW  - Healthcare
KW  - Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP)
KW  - Healthcare Utilization Patterns
KW  - Quality of Care
KW  - Public and Private Hospitals
KW  - Public Healthcare
KW  - Private Healthcare
KW  - Sehat Card Plus
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16743984
L1  - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/5036540
ER  -