Chandigarh, Sept. 20 -- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna has provided health security to 54 lakh families, with 1.26 crore health cards distributed under the scheme.

Addressing a card distribution ceremony in Mohali, Mann said the scheme provides cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh without imposing any financial burden on beneficiaries. So far, Rs 1,310 crore has been spent on the treatment of more than seven lakh patients, he said.

The chief minister said the objective was to ensure that no family is forced into debt or financial distress because of illness. Beneficiaries can avail themselves of treatment at government or private hospitals of their choice, he added.

"Our objective is not merely to provide treatment but to ensure that no family is forced into debt or financial distress because of illness. Healthcare should not become a luxury available only to those who can afford it," Mann said.

He said the scheme covers specialised and high-cost procedures, while the health department has listed services including dialysis, cancer treatment, cardiac procedures, kidney and liver transplantation, knee replacement, cataract surgery, C-section deliveries and emergency care.

Health Minister Balbir Singh said the scheme was supporting access to essential healthcare services and cited the first kidney transplant at Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, performed entirely under the programme. He also highlighted a heart procedure performed on a 37-year-old woman under the scheme.

Mann said the state's network of 1,100 Aam Aadmi Clinics had recorded around 5.5 crore outpatient visits, bringing primary healthcare closer to residential areas.

Under the next phase, Sehat Cards will be distributed directly to eligible families through camps in more than 1,800 villages. Those unable to attend camps will be covered through door-to-door delivery by Sehat Mitras and ASHA workers.

The scheme currently covers 2,356 treatment packages through more than 900 empanelled hospitals across Punjab and Chandigarh, including government and private facilities.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.