Chandigarh, April 23: The healthcare landscape in Punjab is undergoing a significant shift as the state government expands the reach of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna (MMSY). Over 40 lakh health cards have been issued across various districts, providing families with an annual coverage of ₹10 lakh. This initiative seeks to ensure that medical care remains accessible to all residents, regardless of their financial standing.
Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh affirmed that the primary objective is to ensure the best possible treatment reaches every household without the burden of heavy costs. He declared that healthcare should not depend on a patient’s ability to pay or travel, noting that every family is now covered under the scheme to facilitate inclusive medical support.
The impact of this policy is evident in both major cities and smaller towns. Data indicates that Ludhiana leads the registrations with 4.20 lakh cards, followed by Patiala and Jalandhar. Significant uptake has also been observed in districts like Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, and Mansa, suggesting that the medical model is scaling effectively throughout the region. On a single day this week, nearly 29,000 new registrations were recorded, reflecting a steady trust in the public health system.
Medical professionals on the ground have noted a change in how patients approach treatment. Dr Maninder Singh Bhasin, Senior Medical Officer at Sub-Divisional Hospital Khanna, stated that health is no longer a privilege and confirmed that coverage now includes every resident. He maintained that procedures such as gall bladder surgeries, which typically involve substantial costs, are being performed with no financial liability for the patient.
Further reports from specialized departments indicate that critical procedures are becoming more routine. Dr Bhasin asserted that knee and hip replacements are now performed daily on a cashless basis. He also declared that the availability of rapid thrombolytic medications for heart attacks has saved numerous lives by restoring blood flow quickly during emergencies. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Karan Chopra from Barnala affirmed that patients who previously delayed surgeries are now seeking help earlier, as the financial barriers have been mitigated.
