A serious illness doesn’t just test a patient’s health, it often tests a family’s finances. Bhagwant Mann Government’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is steadily changing that reality in Punjab by taking the cost of expensive medical treatment out of the equation.
The numbers tell the story. Under the scheme’s ten most frequently availed procedures alone, 2,44,468 cashless treatments worth more than ₹316.50 crore have already been provided. From patients who require dialysis several times a week to those undergoing heart surgery, knee replacement or emergency Caesarean delivery, the scheme is covering treatments that many families would otherwise struggle to afford.
Data from the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, shows that Chronic Haemodialysis remains by far the most availed procedure under the scheme. A total of 1,87,656 dialysis sessions, worth more than ₹30.65 crore, have been provided, ensuring that patients living with chronic kidney disease can continue treatment without the constant worry of arranging money for every hospital visit.
The scheme has also supported 17,698 laparoscopic gall bladder surgeries, making it the second most common procedure. Close behind are 10,751 Total Knee Replacement surgeries, helping thousands of elderly patients regain mobility and independence. Another 9,317 women received cashless Caesarean deliveries, reducing financial stress at one of the most critical moments for any family.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, “The true measure of any healthcare programme is not the number of beneficiaries on paper, but the number of families who receive timely treatment without being pushed into financial distress. The success of a healthcare scheme is reflected in the lives it changes. These figures represent thousands of families who received quality treatment without worrying about hospital bills. Whether it is a patient requiring lifelong dialysis, an elderly person undergoing knee replacement, a woman needing a safe Caesarean delivery, or someone requiring emergency heart treatment, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is ensuring that financial constraints never become a barrier to healthcare.”