CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14 — The Bhagwant Mann administration has delivered medical treatments to more than 2.26 lakh patients through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana within the first five months of its rollout. The state initiative has processed over 3.65 lakh medical procedures, accumulating a total value of ₹632.50 crore to ease the financial pressure on local households facing rising healthcare costs.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh affirmed that the program secures essential medical services for registered residents without forcing families into financial hardship. He noted that the initiative has already issued more than 46.21 lakh health cards, extending vital coverage to nearly 22 lakh families across Punjab.
“The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has provided treatment to more than 2,26,822 patients through 3,65,340 treatment procedures worth ₹632.50 crore within five months of implementation,” Dr Balbir Singh stated. “While private health insurance remains an option for those seeking customised coverage, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has been designed to ensure that every eligible resident of Punjab receives access to quality healthcare without facing financial hardship.”
A primary feature distinguishing the state initiative from commercial insurance policies is the complete elimination of premium payments and waiting periods. While commercial plans routinely require high annual fees that escalate with age and enforce multi-year delays for chronic illnesses, this state initiative covers pre-existing conditions like diabetes and cardiac issues immediately.
The Health Minister declared that eligible beneficiaries can access treatment from day one itself, irrespective of their previous medical history. He maintained that the system offers uniform benefits across a comprehensive catalog of more than 2,300 specialized medical packages, which include critical care, cancer therapies, and dialysis.
Operations run through a combined network of 850 empanelled public and private hospitals across the region. The state health department utilizes a cashless and paperless framework to minimize paperwork and accelerate patient intake.
Dr Balbir Singh asserted that commercial policies often introduce sub-limits, co-payments, and strict exclusions that limit affordability for ordinary citizens. He added that the current public model remains focused on reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses for all sections of society to ensure that no family must choose between financial stability and necessary medical care.
