Punjab’s flagship public healthcare initiative has delivered cashless medical treatment worth nearly ₹852 crore to more than 2.42 lakh patients within six months of its launch, reflecting the state government’s push to expand access to affordable healthcare and reduce the financial burden of medical treatment on families.
Launched in January this year, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has emerged as one of Punjab’s largest universal health coverage programmes, providing eligible households with annual cashless medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh. According to the state government, the scheme has already facilitated 4.79 lakh cashless treatments while more than 47 lakh Sehat Cards have been registered across the state.
The figures indicate the growing reliance on the scheme for both routine and advanced medical care. Officials say the programme is designed to ensure that access to quality healthcare is not determined by a family’s financial condition, while strengthening the state’s broader public health infrastructure.
The Health Minister said the strong public response demonstrates growing confidence in the government’s effort to provide comprehensive health security. He described the initiative as an important social protection measure that shields families from catastrophic healthcare expenses while ensuring access to treatment without financial hardship.
Data released by the Health Department shows that chronic haemodialysis has emerged as the most frequently availed service under the programme, with more than 1.58 lakh dialysis sessions provided to patients suffering from kidney-related ailments. Since dialysis requires repeated treatment several times a week, officials said the scheme has significantly reduced long-term medical expenses for affected families.
The programme has also covered a wide range of surgical procedures. Laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries accounted for around 12,400 treatments, while thousands of patients underwent knee replacement surgeries, Caesarean deliveries, normal deliveries, hysterectomies, hip replacement procedures and other major operations under the cashless facility.
While dialysis has benefited the highest number of patients, complex surgeries have accounted for the largest share of healthcare expenditure. Knee replacement procedures alone represented medical claims worth nearly ₹70.86 crore, followed closely by angioplasty and diagnostic angiogram procedures for heart patients at approximately ₹70.02 crore. Significant expenditure was also recorded for laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries, hip replacements, spinal surgeries, coronary artery bypass grafting, cataract operations, bilateral hernia repairs and hysterectomies.
Health officials said the treatment pattern reflects the scheme’s dual focus on supporting patients requiring regular life-saving care while also ensuring access to expensive specialised procedures that are often beyond the financial reach of ordinary families.
Beneficiaries have also shared positive experiences after receiving treatment under the programme. Patients who underwent knee replacement surgery and other major procedures said the scheme spared their families from substantial medical expenses and enabled them to receive timely treatment without financial stress.
The Punjab Government maintains that the expansion of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana forms part of its broader commitment to strengthening public healthcare and ensuring that every eligible household has access to quality medical services. With registrations continuing to rise, officials expect the programme to play an increasingly important role in advancing universal health coverage across the state while reducing the economic impact of serious illness on families.
