Chandigarh, July 25: Over 8,000 cancer patients across Punjab have received free, cashless medical treatment totaling ₹20.22 crore under the state government’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana up to July 18, 2026, according to official figures released by the State Health Agency.
The data reveals that working-age individuals constitute the largest group of beneficiaries. Out of the 8,069 individuals treated, 4,285 were aged between 36 and 60 years. Senior citizens above 60 years accounted for 3,376 beneficiaries, while 399 patients belonged to the 17–35 age bracket, and nine were below the age of 17.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh affirmed that the state administration remains dedicated to removing financial barriers in critical healthcare. “Cancer is becoming one of the major public health challenges of our time. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can significantly improve outcomes,” Dr. Singh stated, adding that eligible citizens receive quality care without the burden of medical expenses. He also advised citizens to seek immediate medical advice if they notice warning signs like persistent lumps, unexplained weight loss, abnormal bleeding, or chronic cough.
The scheme has witnessed a steady monthly demand for oncology services since the beginning of the year. Patient counts climbed from 842 in January to 1,080 in February, reaching a peak of 1,468 in June. In the first 18 days of July alone, 879 patients availed treatment.
For beneficiaries like Darshan Devi of Samana, the initiative proved life-changing. Facing an estimated surgery expense of ₹4–5 lakh, her family was overwhelmed by the financial burden until approval under the scheme enabled her to undergo surgery at no out-of-pocket cost.
Since its launch on January 8, 2026, the overall Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has assisted 2,68,274 beneficiaries across 5,31,386 treatment cases, with total care valued at ₹950.35 crore as of July 20, 2026. This growing necessity aligns with national trends, as the Indian Council of Medical Research estimated nearly 14.6 lakh new cancer cases across India in 2022.
