New Delhi, May 6 -- Punjab's flagship healthcare initiative, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, is steadily expanding its footprint, with treatments worth over Rs.465 crore delivered so far and more than 42 lakh health cards issued across the state.

The scheme, which enables cashless medical care in both government and empanelled private hospitals, has already facilitated around 2.77 lakh treatments. The scale of utilisation, officials say, reflects increasing awareness and adoption among residents.

At its core, the programme seeks to reduce the financial burden of medical care-particularly in cases of serious illness or surgery-by offering coverage of up to Rs.10 lakh per family annually. Unlike many targeted welfare schemes, it is designed...