Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said that the Universal Health Scheme ‘Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana’, launched by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has emerged as a boon for Punjabis by providing cashless free treatment worth more than Rs 914 crore to 5.12 lakh people within just six and a half months of its launch.
Addressing a press conference in Patiala and releasing the latest figures, Dr. Balbir Singh said that more than 50.3 lakh e-Health Cards have been issued under the scheme so far. The scheme has enabled patients to avail life-saving and expensive treatments without any financial burden. He said that the Punjab Government is committed to ensuring quality healthcare access to every eligible family without financial hardship.
The Health Minister said that the scheme has strengthened universal health coverage in the state by ensuring free, cashless and quality healthcare services for eligible families, due to which it has received an overwhelming response. He said that 733 cancer patients have received treatment under the scheme, while people are also benefiting from knee replacement surgeries, eye operations and heart treatments.
Dr. Balbir Singh said that patients are receiving cashless treatment at 868 empanelled government and private hospitals across Punjab. The scheme has benefited 2,50,359 families across the state, while 1.65 lakh beneficiaries have undergone surgeries under this initiative.
He said that the scheme reflects a strong partnership between government and private hospitals. Government hospitals have provided 2,29,551 treatments (45%), while private hospitals have provided 2,83,089 treatments (55%). This balanced participation has significantly improved access to quality healthcare services across Punjab.
The Health Minister expressed concern that while private hospitals in the state are being empanelled under the scheme, the exclusion of PGIMER Chandigarh by the Central Government from this scheme is an injustice and discrimination against Punjabis. Dr. Balbir Singh further said that the Punjab Government has protected people from mental, financial and debt-related stress by providing free treatment under the scheme.
He informed that 24,96,313 families are covered under the scheme across Punjab. Among total beneficiaries, 24.3 lakh (48%) are men and 26 lakh (52%) are women. Further, 34.2 lakh (68%) beneficiaries belong to rural areas, while 16.1 lakh (32%) are from urban areas.
He said that Ludhiana district has issued the highest number of e-cards with 5,46,380 cards covering 2,69,372 families, followed by Patiala with 4,56,730 cards covering 2,15,373 families, Jalandhar with 3,69,335 cards covering 1,85,285 families and Hoshiarpur with 3,45,094 cards covering 1,64,941 families. He added that Patiala and Bathinda are leading in terms of treatments provided.
Dr. Balbir Singh said that the scheme has helped patients avail several critical treatments including chronic haemodialysis, animal bite management (excluding snake bites), knee replacement, gall bladder surgeries, angioplasty, total hip replacement, kidney-related procedures, coronary artery bypass surgery, neonatal intensive care and other major healthcare packages.
He said that by providing cashless and uninterrupted dialysis services, the scheme is not only saving lives but also protecting families from catastrophic healthcare expenses while ensuring continuity of care and better quality of life. Replying to a query regarding action against private hospitals, Dr. Balbir Singh said that the Punjab Government has strengthened its audit system.
During investigations, Rs 2.98 lakh was refunded to six patients. Besides, 14 hospitals were inspected and found to have updated incorrect information, following which a penalty of Rs 78 lakh was imposed. Sarvodaya Hospital, Jalandhar, has been removed from the empanelled list.
The Health Minister appealed to people that if any hospital demands money during cashless treatment, asks patients to purchase items from outside or get tests conducted externally, they should report it on helpline number 104. State Health Agency Deputy CEO Dr. Andesh Kang, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Anuprita Johal and Civil Surgeon Dr. Shaily Jetley were also present on the occasion.