The Punjab government has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly expand access to cashless healthcare for its residents. The state will organize a massive 9,000 special enrollment camps across its districts to register beneficiaries for the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana (SSBY). This scheme provides an impressive Rs 10 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care treatment at empanelled hospitals, completely free of cost.
Massive Outreach Through Enrollment Camps
This large-scale drive aims to ensure that every eligible citizen in Punjab can avail the benefits of this crucial health protection scheme. The camps are strategically planned to reach people at the grassroots level, simplifying the enrollment process. The initiative underscores the administration's commitment to strengthening the public health safety net and reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses for families.
The Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana is Punjab's extension of the central government's flagship Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). It effectively merges the beneficiary lists of both state and central schemes, creating a wider coverage pool. The state has already been recognized for its high performance in the implementation of AB-PMJAY.
Comprehensive Coverage and Cashless Benefits
The scheme offers comprehensive coverage for a wide range of medical procedures and treatments. The key feature is the cashless treatment facility at both public and private hospitals that are part of the network. This removes the financial barrier at the time of hospitalization, a critical relief for countless families.
Eligible families can receive treatment for various specialties, including but not limited to:
- Cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery
- Oncology (cancer care)
- Orthopedics and neurosurgery
- Nephrology (including dialysis and kidney transplants)
- Poly-trauma and burn treatments
The Rs 10 lakh annual cover is a substantial sum designed to shield families from catastrophic health expenditures that often lead to debt and poverty. The seamless integration with Ayushman Bharat ensures a standardized package of rates and a robust IT platform for claim processing.
Driving Universal Health Access in Punjab
The decision to hold 9,000 camps represents a proactive shift from passive enrollment to active on-ground mobilization. Officials from the Health Department and the State Health Agency will manage these camps, assisting people with documentation and verification. The focus will be on districts and blocks with lower enrollment rates to achieve equitable coverage.
This move is expected to have far-reaching consequences for public health in Punjab. By ensuring more families have a valid Ayushman Bharat-Sarbat Sehat Bima Golden Card, the government aims to:
- Increase the utilization rate of the scheme in both public and private hospitals.
- Improve health outcomes by enabling timely access to necessary surgeries and treatments.
- Reduce the financial burden on the state's healthcare infrastructure by leveraging private sector capacity.
- Formalize health-seeking behavior and create a more accountable system.
The success of this camp-driven approach will depend on effective publicity and coordination at the local level. If executed well, it can position Punjab as a leading state in achieving near-universal health coverage through social health insurance, setting a benchmark for others to follow.
