Patients receiving treatment at Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Clinics will now receive key health information—including medicine timings, follow-up dates, and lab reports—directly on WhatsApp. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched this initiative in Chandigarh, stating that prescriptions and medical records will now be delivered straight to patients’ mobile phones through a new integration system.
CM Mann Inaugurates 200 New Clinics, Cites Healthcare Revival
Marking a major expansion of the state’s public healthcare network, 200 new Aam Aadmi Clinics were inaugurated, taking the total above 1,080 across Punjab. Recalling the poor state of public hospitals in earlier times—where pigeons nested in X-ray machines—Mann claimed a dramatic transformation in service delivery and infrastructure.
₹10 Lakh Free Treatment Scheme to Launch on October 2
Mann announced that from October 2, Punjab will implement India’s most extensive public health insurance programme, offering free medical treatment worth up to ₹10 lakh annually to every household.
Patient Journey Simplified in Five Digital Steps
Under the new patient care model:
- Patients register at the clinic with the assistant.
- Their medical history is sent to the doctor.
- After the check-up, the doctor sends instructions to the pharmacist and assistant.
- The pharmacist dispenses medicines; the assistant orders lab tests.
- All relevant updates—including next visit, prescriptions, and reports—are sent to the patient via WhatsApp.
Four New Medical Colleges to Strengthen Health Infrastructure
New government medical colleges will open in Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Sangrur, and Nawanshahr, each with 100 seats. Despite limited NHM funding, Mann assured that modern German-imported equipment would fill gaps in diagnostics and lab capabilities.
End of Cancer Train: Punjab Now Offers In-State Oncology Care
Previously, cancer patients from Punjab had to travel to Rajasthan, earning one rail service the nickname “Cancer Train.” Mann said with expanded facilities and a new hospital in Bathinda, even patients from Rajasthan are now coming to Punjab.
Ukraine War Inspired Medical Education Reforms
The government decided to scale up medical education after many students returned from war-hit Ukraine. This served as a wake-up call to invest in local infrastructure and training.
Public Trust Being Rebuilt in Government Hospitals
Mann acknowledged past public mistrust due to poor drug availability and management. He said instructions have been issued for Chief Medical Officers to purchase and supply missing medicines directly. The government aims to restore faith not just in jobs but in services too.
Toxic Water Crisis Alarms Border Areas
Mann raised concerns over contaminated groundwater in border districts, reporting cases of infertility, early greying in children, and birth defects. He urged the WHO to investigate water from across the Pakistani border, which he said is severely polluted.
Clinics Serve 1.3 Crore People, OPD Visits Quadruple
Punjab now operates over 1,080 Aam Aadmi Clinics—565 in villages and 516 in cities. More than 1.3 crore people have benefited, with OPD visits increasing from 34 lakh annually to 177 lakh under the AAP government—a 4.5-fold rise.
Free Medicines and Tests Drive Health Equity
Clinics provide free consultations, 107 essential medicines, and over 100 diagnostic tests, including for typhoid, diabetes (HbA1C), hepatitis, dengue, HIV, and pregnancy. Free ultrasounds are available, and life-saving injections are being added to the system.