Punjab's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Delivers Rs 191 Crore in Free Healthcare to 1.60 Lakh Beneficiaries
In a significant update on Punjab's healthcare initiatives, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh revealed on Wednesday that the state's flagship Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has provided free treatment worth Rs 191 crore to approximately 1.60 lakh residents. Launched by the Punjab government, this scheme offers coverage up to Rs 10 lakh per family and is being hailed as a transformative model for public health.
Expanding Access and Infrastructure
Dr Balbir Singh emphasized that the scheme is proving to be a boon for Punjab's population, with plans to issue health cards to 65 lakh families, covering around three crore people. So far, 25 lakh health cards have been distributed, and the minister urged citizens to proactively obtain these cards rather than waiting until illness strikes. The government's focus over the last four years has prioritized health, education, and employment, leading to what he described as a health revolution in the state.
Key infrastructure developments include the transformation of Govt Rajindra Hospital and Mata Kaushalya Hospital in Patiala, which marked the beginning of this healthcare overhaul. Additionally, nine new medical colleges are being established across Punjab, with facilities at Fatehgarh Sahib and ESI Ludhiana already operational. Upcoming colleges in Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Sangrur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Lehragaga, Malerkotla, and Ludhiana will add 600 new MBBS seats, addressing shortages in medical education and promoting faculty members.
Enhanced Medical Services and Technology Integration
To strengthen healthcare delivery, the government is procuring equipment worth Rs 200 crore for all state medical colleges and setting up 22 critical care blocks with 50 beds each in various districts. Diagnostic services are being expanded, with MRI facilities planned for all district hospitals this year and CT scan facilities in eight more hospitals. Seven maternal and child hospitals, each with 250 beds, will soon be operational, and over 200 empanelled private diagnostic centres are providing X-ray and ultrasound services.
Artificial intelligence is playing a crucial role in early detection and management. Under AI-enabled screening in five districts, 9,294 women were examined, leading to the detection of eight breast cancer and 43 cervical cancer cases. Similarly, eye screening of 1.07 lakh people identified vision issues in 21,660 individuals. The Punjab Stroke Project has introduced an AI-enabled stroke management system through a hub-and-spoke model, benefiting 100 patients so far, with 40 receiving treatment.
Comprehensive Health Initiatives and Future Plans
Beyond treatment, the government has launched several supportive programs. The Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign aims to reduce drug demand and break supply chains while creating infrastructure for free treatment and rehabilitation of addicts. Skill development initiatives for recovering individuals and expansion of clinics in jails are also underway.
Other notable achievements include:
- 883 Aam Aadmi Clinics providing free treatment to 1.69 crore people through over five crore OPD consultations.
- The CM di Yogshala project benefiting around 2 lakh people daily via 8,000 yoga sessions.
- Recruitment of 948 general doctors and 627 super-specialist doctors, the largest medical recruitment in Punjab's history.
Looking ahead, IVF services will soon be available in government medical colleges in Patiala, Amritsar, and Faridkot, with PET scan facilities to be introduced in Mohali and other colleges. Advanced procedures such as cochlear implants, liver and kidney transplants, and heart, brain, and spine surgeries are being conducted in state hospitals. All operation theatres at Govt Rajindra Hospital have been upgraded to modular OTs, and a trauma centre is under construction.
Specialized Care and Mental Health Support
Mission Amrit, launched across 23 districts, ensures timely treatment for heart attack patients, with 29,000 chest pain patients enrolled and 800 receiving emergency cardiac care. For mental health, the Tele-MANAS helpline number 14416 provides statewide support. The government's overarching goal is to ensure quality healthcare for all three crore residents and bring government hospitals on par with private facilities.
Dr Balbir Singh concluded by stating that Punjab's health model is now being replicated across the country, showcasing the state's commitment to innovative and accessible healthcare solutions.
