Chandigarh, July 28: More than 14,000 patients suffering from severe respiratory ailments have received cashless medical treatment worth ₹37.30 crore under Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana over a six-month period. Official figures released by the State Health Agency demonstrate significant utilization among working-age adults alongside senior citizens, reflecting a rising public health burden across diverse age brackets.
According to data recorded between January 8 and July 21, 2026, a total of 14,032 individuals accessed specialized hospital care for chronic lung conditions and thoracic surgical procedures. Patients aged 36 to 60 years accounted for 5,559 treatment cases, while senior citizens comprised 5,659 cases. Together, these demographics represented over 80 per cent of all respiratory care episodes funded through the state initiative, alongside 2,522 young adults and 292 children.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh affirmed that early clinical intervention remains vital to preventing long-term damage from progressive pulmonary conditions.
“The data highlights the urgent need for greater awareness about respiratory health,” Dr. Balbir Singh stated. “People often ignore a persistent cough or breathlessness, believing it is temporary or simply part of ageing. Unfortunately, chronic lung diseases progress silently. By the time many patients seek medical care, the damage is already significant. Breathlessness should never be ignored. Early treatment can save lungs, lives and livelihoods.”
Gender-specific metrics indicate that 8,345 male patients received care valued at ₹22.79 crore, while 5,684 female beneficiaries utilized services amounting to ₹14.50 crore. Additionally, three individuals under the ‘Other’ gender category accessed cashless medical coverage during this period.
Monthly statistics showed steady demand for specialized treatment, rising from 1,332 cases in January to a peak of 2,509 cases in April. While June recorded 2,004 cases, it accounted for the highest single-month treatment expenditure at ₹6.73 crore, pointing toward a higher frequency of complex procedures.
Dr. Balbir Singh maintained that high-risk groups must take proactive steps to monitor their respiratory health before symptoms escalate into advanced disease.
“Early diagnosis, quitting tobacco, reducing exposure to air pollution, workplace protection and timely medical care remain the most effective ways to prevent severe chronic lung disease,” Dr. Balbir Singh declared. He urged smokers, industrial workers, and individuals routinely exposed to airborne pollutants to seek immediate medical evaluations whenever symptoms linger.
