Patiala, March 12: A local mechanic from Mandoli village in Patiala district has avoided a potential financial crisis thanks to the Punjab government’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. Gurtej Singh, whose family relies on daily wages, received complete medical treatment for a serious illness without the burden of mounting debt.
Initially admitted to Chaman Hospital in Bahadurgarh, Singh’s family had already incurred nearly ₹10,000 in costs for medicines and bed charges. Medical professionals estimated that the final bill could reach between ₹80,000 and ₹90,000, an amount Singh stated was far beyond his household’s irregular earnings.
“The biggest worry was how we would arrange the money,” Singh asserted, noting that without the health card, his family would have been forced to borrow at high interest rates. He affirmed that the scheme protected his family’s future, specifically ensuring that his two daughters’ education would not be compromised by medical expenses.
The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, which provides annual cashless coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per family, was launched to safeguard working households from such financial setbacks. Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh stated that the government’s focus is to ensure quality treatment is accessible to families with irregular incomes. He maintained that financial protection is as essential as the medical care itself.
