CHANDIGARH, MAY 2 – The Punjab government’s flagship Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna (MMSY) has reached a significant milestone by facilitating approximately 100,000 free dialysis procedures for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. Official data released Friday indicates that the state has covered treatment costs totaling ₹16.5 crore, providing a vital financial cushion for families struggling with the high price of long-term renal care.
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh stated that the program was designed to ensure that no resident is forced to skip life-sustaining treatment due to a lack of funds. He affirmed that the delivery of 1 lakh free treatments underscores the government’s commitment to accessible healthcare. Public health experts note that with private sector dialysis sessions costing up to ₹4,000 each, the annual financial burden on a single patient can become insurmountable without such state-sponsored interventions.
For patients like Dhian Singh of Ludhiana, the “Sehat Card” has transformed a grueling medical necessity into a manageable routine. Singh, who undergoes treatment twice weekly, stated that he has received more than a dozen cashless sessions at a private nursing home since registering for the scheme. Medical professionals maintain that for those with end-stage kidney disease, the consistency provided by these cashless services is often the primary factor in patient survival.
Dr. Sourav Goyal, a nephrologist at Delhi Heart and Multispeciality Hospital in Moga, asserted that the financial coverage prevents the rapid accumulation of fatal toxins that occurs when sessions are missed. He noted that the hospital is performing a higher volume of procedures than in previous years, largely due to the removal of financial barriers. While the program addresses immediate survival, Dr. Goyal also maintained that the broader challenge for the state remains the early detection of kidney issues, which are often diagnosed only after function is severely compromised.
