Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Presents Four-Year Health Sector Report Card
In Chandigarh on Friday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann unveiled a comprehensive four-year report card for the state's health sector, drawing a sharp contrast between what he termed a "condition-ridden" Ayushman Bharat and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna. Mann emphasized that the difference lies fundamentally in "intent and delivery," describing Punjab's initiative as a pioneering model of "universal, accessible" healthcare.
Expansion of Aam Aadmi Clinics and Healthcare Infrastructure
Mann announced that 883 Aam Aadmi Clinics are currently operational across Punjab, with an additional 100 clinics set to be inaugurated on March 28. Furthermore, 400 more clinics are under construction, significantly enhancing primary healthcare access. These clinics offer 47 diagnostic tests and 107 medicines free of cost, achieving a remarkable patient satisfaction rate of 94%. The Chief Minister reported that outpatient department (OPD) footfall has surpassed five crore, with 1.69 crore patients receiving treatment for specific conditions, a model now gaining recognition nationwide.
Financial Allocation and Scheme Coverage
Highlighting the financial commitment, Mann stated that Punjab has allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, serving a population of approximately three crore people. In stark comparison, he criticized the central government's Ayushman Bharat scheme, which allocates merely Rs 9,300 crore for a national population of 140 crore. This translates to Punjab spending nearly ten times more per capita on healthcare. Mann asserted, "Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna is a boon for people, whereas Ayushman is a sham," noting that the state's scheme imposes no restrictive conditions, unlike its central counterpart.
The scheme covers an extensive range of 2,356 medical and surgical procedures, including orthopaedics, general medicine, heart, lung, and kidney diseases, as well as cancer treatment. To date, around 900 government and private hospitals in Punjab and Chandigarh have been empanelled, with 25 lakh beneficiaries registered and over 1.6 lakh individuals already receiving treatment. Budget allocations include Rs 1,200 crore for 2025-26 and Rs 2,000 crore earmarked for 2026-27.
Strengthening Human Resources and Critical Care
On human resource development, Mann highlighted that Punjab has witnessed the largest recruitment of doctors in its history since 2022. This includes 948 general doctors and 627 specialists, accounting for 35% of total government doctor recruitment over the past 75 years. Additionally, 300 nursing staff and 250 pharmacists have been recruited, with the recruitment of 672 nurses currently underway.
Infrastructure upgrades are also a priority, with 22 critical care blocks, each equipped with 50 beds, under construction. Diagnostic services are being expanded significantly: MRI services will be available in all district hospitals by October 2026, marking a 500% increase, while CT scan services have already been expanded by 33%. PET scan facilities will be introduced in Amritsar, Faridkot, Mohali, and Patiala, and over 200 empanelled private diagnostic centres are providing free X-ray and ultrasound services.
Technological Interventions and AI Initiatives
Mann also detailed technological advancements in Punjab's health sector. For the first time in India, AI-enabled cancer screening was conducted between September 2025 and March 2026, with 9,294 women screened for breast cancer. Additionally, vision screening was performed for 1.07 lakh people, identifying 21,660 individuals with vision issues, underscoring the state's proactive approach to preventive healthcare.
Addressing Criticism and Future Outlook
Hitting out at critics, Mann accused "anti-Punjab forces" of spreading canards about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna to discourage public utilization. He stated, "Some anti-Punjab forces who don't want people to benefit from such facilities are spreading canards about this scheme. These misnomers are aimed at discouraging people from availing its benefits, which is unwarranted and undesirable." He reaffirmed the scheme's role as a comprehensive healthcare plan aimed at easing financial burdens and ensuring quality services for all residents.
