Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Makes CNIC Mandatory for OPD Visits at All Government Hospitals

PESHAWAR — The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has made it compulsory for patients to provide their Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) number and mobile phone number when obtaining Outpatient Department (OPD) slips at all government hospitals and medical centres across the province, in a bid to bring transparency to the healthcare system and maintain accurate patient records for better medical follow-ups.

An official notification to this effect was issued by the department following directives from the Provincial Health Minister. The new rule will apply to all district and tehsil hospitals, as well as other government medical centres operating across the province.

Key Provisions of the New Rule

The health department has outlined specific requirements for all government healthcare facilities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa:

• Mandatory Identification — No OPD slip shall be issued without recording the patient's CNIC and mobile number
• Minors' Records — For children and minors, the parent or guardian's CNIC number must be provided
• Medicine Display — All health centres must display an updated list of available medicines on notice boards at prominent locations
• Digital Records — Patient digital records will assist in disease surveillance and public health planning
• Enforcement — Violation, negligence, or non-compliance will result in departmental action under relevant Efficiency and Discipline Rules

Purpose and Benefits

The health department described the measure as essential for eliminating fake or anonymous registrations, reducing overcrowding, and ensuring that genuine patients receive timely medical attention. Health officials believe the new requirements will transform how healthcare data is managed and utilised across the province.

The digital record of patients will also help health authorities track patient history more effectively and curb the misuse of medical facilities by individuals who may attempt to access services under false identities. This enhanced record-keeping is expected to significantly improve the quality of healthcare delivery.

Disease Surveillance and Planning

Officials believe the digital patient records will assist in disease surveillance and public health planning across the province, enabling health authorities to identify health trends, track disease outbreaks, and allocate resources more effectively. The comprehensive database of patient information will provide valuable insights for evidence-based healthcare policy decisions.

Immediate Implementation

The health minister has directed immediate enforcement of the order across all district and tehsil hospitals. All relevant officers and medical staff have been instructed to strictly implement the new requirements. The health department has warned that any violation, negligence, or non-compliance will result in departmental action against responsible officials under the relevant Efficiency and Discipline (E&D) Rules.

The move is part of broader efforts by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government to modernise healthcare administration and improve service delivery to citizens across the province.