Punjab Launches Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana: The Government of Punjab has taken a landmark decision to strengthen public healthcare by announcing the launch of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana from January. Under this ambitious health insurance initiative, every family in the state will be entitled to free medical treatment worth up to Rs 10 lakh. The decision reflects the state’s commitment to ensuring that quality healthcare is not a privilege but a basic right for all citizens, regardless of income, profession, or place of residence.
During a high-level review meeting of the Health Department, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann approved the proposal to enhance the treatment coverage limit from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per family. The Chief Minister emphasized that rising healthcare costs often push families into financial distress, especially during serious illnesses or medical emergencies. This scheme is designed to reduce that burden while guaranteeing timely and quality medical care.
With the implementation of this initiative, Punjab is set to become the first state in India to offer cashless medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh to every family. This move places the state at the forefront of public health reform and social welfare policy.
One of the most significant features of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is its extensive medical coverage. Each eligible family can avail free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh per year. This high coverage limit ensures that even expensive procedures and long-term treatments do not translate into financial hardship for patients and their families.
The scheme acts as a safety net for households that might otherwise struggle to afford advanced medical care. By eliminating or drastically reducing out-of-pocket expenses, it promotes early diagnosis and timely treatment, which are crucial for better health outcomes.
The scheme covers a wide range of major and critical illnesses. Treatments related to critical care, complex surgeries, and life-saving medical procedures are included under its scope. Beneficiaries can seek treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals across Punjab and Chandigarh, ensuring both accessibility and choice.
This broad disease coverage makes the scheme suitable not only for emergency situations but also for serious long-term health conditions that require specialized care.
Beyond basic treatment costs, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana also addresses expenses related to hospitalisation. This includes surgery charges, ICU care, diagnostic tests, medicines, and other essential medical services. Importantly, the scheme also covers approved pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation expenses, which are often overlooked but can significantly increase overall treatment costs.
By covering the entire treatment cycle, the scheme ensures comprehensive healthcare support rather than partial relief.
Another major advantage of this initiative is its fully cashless and paperless treatment process. Beneficiaries will not be required to make upfront payments at empanelled hospitals, which is especially beneficial during emergencies. The simplified process reduces administrative hassles and makes healthcare access smoother for people in both rural and urban areas.
This approach also enhances transparency and efficiency within the healthcare system, benefiting patients and service providers alike.
The eligibility criteria for the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana are inclusive and straightforward. All residents of Punjab are eligible for the scheme, irrespective of their income level. Government employees and pensioners are also covered, ensuring universal inclusion.
Eligible beneficiaries can avail treatment worth up to Rs 10 lakh at empanelled government and private hospitals located in Punjab and Chandigarh.
Registration for the scheme will be conducted through special camps and designated registration centres set up by the state government. This ensures easy enrollment, even for people in remote or underserved areas.
To complete the registration process, applicants are required to provide basic identification documents such as an Aadhaar Card and Voter ID. For beneficiaries below the age of 18, a parent’s voter ID card will be necessary. The simplified documentation process aims to encourage maximum participation.
The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana represents a transformative step in Punjab’s healthcare journey. By increasing the treatment limit to Rs 10 lakh and offering cashless, comprehensive medical coverage, the government has addressed one of the most pressing concerns of its citizens. This initiative not only improves access to quality healthcare but also strengthens social security and public confidence in the healthcare system.
