Chandigarh: When a sudden cardiac emergency struck Sukhwinder Kaur, a resident of Manikpur village in Mohali, immediate intervention was critical. Under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, launched by the Government of Punjab under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, her treatment was delivered without any financial delay. The scheme spared her family from an estimated Rs 4 lakh expense during this life-threatening situation, allowing them to focus entirely on her recovery.
Sukhwinder Kaur was rushed to a private hospital after experiencing acute chest pain along with diabetes-related complications. Doctors diagnosed a serious heart condition requiring immediate stent placement, with estimated treatment costs ranging from Rs 3 to 4 lakh—an amount difficult for the family to arrange at short notice. Once her eligibility under the scheme was confirmed, the formalities were promptly completed, and the procedure was conducted at an empanelled hospital under the scheme’s annual coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh per eligible family. She was discharged in stable condition after a week of supervision.
This case highlights the growing reach of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, which has issued over 9 lakh health cards across Punjab, with more than 70% of patients in government hospitals now receiving free treatment. The Punjab government has released Rs 500 crore to insurers to ensure timely claim settlements and uninterrupted cashless treatment. The scheme covers major procedures including cardiac surgeries, cancer care, and kidney ailments at both government and empanelled private hospitals. Health Minister Balbir Singh emphasized that the objective is to ensure no eligible family delays critical treatment due to financial constraints, making cashless access to major procedures a guarantee rather than an exception.
