CHANDIGARH, May 9 — The race against time for cardiac patients in Punjab is seeing a significant shift as over 5,000 individuals received life-saving heart procedures through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. By streamlining emergency protocols and removing financial barriers, the state initiative is ensuring that medical intervention begins during the critical “golden hour” following a heart attack.
Data released by the State Health Agency indicates that 5,054 cardiac procedures have been completed under the scheme. This total includes 5,000 Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty operations and diagnostic angiograms, alongside 54 peripheral angioplasty cases. The collective value of these medical interventions is estimated at approximately ₹496 million.
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh affirmed that the administrative transition to the Sehat Card system has directly impacted patient outcomes. More residents are surviving cardiac events that were previously fatal because the system prioritizes speed and immediate care, the minister declared. He maintained that the ability to bypass upfront payment delays is becoming the strongest lifesaver in the state.
Medical professionals noted that the rise in cardiovascular issues is no longer restricted to older populations, citing stress and sedentary habits as contributing factors for younger patients. The Sehat Yojana addresses this by allowing government and empanelled private hospitals to fast-track diagnosis.
Dr. Saurabh Sharma, who serves as the Head of the Department of Cardiology at GMC and Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, stated that the reduction in financial hesitation is a vital factor in these clinical successes. Families previously hesitated to give consent due to cost concerns, but the cashless coverage has largely addressed that barrier, Dr. Sharma asserted. This shift allows hospitals to move suspected heart attack patients to intervention units without the usual administrative bottlenecks.
