Once an individual receives his or her Health Card, becomes eligible to avail free treatment for serious illnesses including, heart disease, cancer, kidney failure and neurological conditions.
Punjab CM Mann and AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday officially launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. The scheme is aimed at providing the Punjab state residents with medical security.
Under the Scheme, each family of Punjab will receive completely free of cost medical treatment of up to Rs 10 Lakh per year with no terms and conditions applied.
The State Government has called the scheme a historic move towards positive healthcare. Such has been introduced ensuring that no citizen is forced into debt or denied treatment due to lack of money.
Who Will Benefit from the Scheme?
According to official information shared by the Punjab government, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is a universal scheme, meaning that every resident of Punjab is eligible to benefit from it. The scheme is expected to cover over 65 lakh families across the state.
There has been no additional criteria announced under this scheme. Every Individual who has an Aadhar Card and a Voter ID is eligible to enroll under the scheme. The scheme is equal for all the individuals be it pensioner, Government Employees, Private or Public Sector Workers and Self-Employed.
CM Mann has clearly stated that no blue card or green card will be required to access the scheme. Instead, eligible residents will be issued a Sehat Card, which can be used to receive cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals.
Over 2,500 Medical Packages Included under Scheme
Under the Yojna, there are several medical packages covered. There will be a wide range of treatments including over 2500 medical packages from routine checkups to major surgeries.
Once an individual has got his or her Health Card, he becomes eligible to avail free of cost treatment for serious illnesses including, heart disease, cancer, kidney failure and neurological conditions, as well as maternity care and emergency services.
Notably, both the pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation expenses are included under the scheme.
Some of the major treatments covered under the scheme include:
- Cardiac care, including angioplasty and bypass surgery
- Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation
- Kidney dialysis and kidney transplant
- Brain, neuro and spine surgeries
- Maternity delivery and neonatal care
- Knee and hip replacement surgeries
- Emergency trauma and accident care
- General surgeries such as gallbladder, hernia and appendix
- Advanced procedures including cochlear implant
- Transgender-related surgeries
- ICU and critical care expenses
- Diagnostic tests and medicines
The government has mentioned that patients will not have to pay even a single rupee for treatment covered under the scheme.
Government’s Vision for Healthcare
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that healthcare should not depend on a person’s financial status and that the government has taken responsibility for medical expenses.
“Health is essential for everyone. With this scheme, no resident of Punjab will ever have to take loans or sell property to get treatment,” Mann said. He added that he had personally seen families collapse financially due to medical bills and that this scheme aims to end that suffering.
He further said that treating patients is the hospital’s responsibility, while bearing the cost of treatment is the government’s responsibility.
‘A Golden Period in Punjab’s History’: Kejriwal
While addressing at the launch event, AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) Convenor Arvind Kejriwal described it as the beginning of a new chapter for Punjab.
He applauded CM Mann and the AAP administration for such great initiatives. He said, “Many Governments came and went, nobody cared for the people.”
He then claimed that Punjab has struggled with major issues including drugs and gangsterism. However, the situations are improving and changing in the state, stated Kejriwal.
“This period will be written in golden letters in Punjab’s history,” he said.
Kejriwal then added that the Government had promised free electricity, quality healthcare and education and has successfully delivered all the promises.
Kejriwal also highlighted that nearly 1,000 Mohalla Clinics are already functioning in Punjab, with plans to open 500 more. He added that the government also plans to establish 2,500 Pind Clinics to strengthen healthcare access in rural areas.
Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh’s Prespective
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said the scheme was a landmark reform, shaped by his four decades of experience as a doctor.
“I have seen patients survive illness but fall into lifelong debt due to treatment costs,” he said. He praised the Chief Minister and Kejriwal for taking what he called a revolutionary step that would reshape Punjab’s healthcare system.
Simple and Wide Enrolment Process
To ensure the scheme reaches every household, the government has created a statewide enrolment network with the help of Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) and Common Service Centres (CSCs).
More than 9,000 enrolment centres will be set up across Punjab. Youth club members will visit homes to distribute slips informing families about their nearest CSC centre and their scheduled enrolment date.
Families will need to visit the centre with the required documents, after which they will be enrolled on the spot and receive a confirmation SMS. A Sehat Card will then be issued, allowing beneficiaries to access cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals across Punjab and Chandigarh.
Hospitals Welcome the Scheme, Flag Concerns
The Punjab Hospitals and Nursing Home Association (PHANA) welcomed the government’s decision to universalise the Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana (MMSBY), calling it a major step towards healthcare equity. However, the association also raised concerns about budget allocation, payment timelines and the role of the insurance company.
PHANA leaders cautioned that once the scheme covers the entire population, empanelled hospitals will become fully dependent on government reimbursements.
“Any delay in payments may severely affect hospital operations, including staff salaries,” said Dr Divyanshu Gupta, Honorary Secretary of PHANA. He stressed that the 15-day payment clause mentioned in the memorandum of understanding must be strictly followed.
PHANA has demanded a minimum annual budget of ₹2,500 crore for the scheme, stating that the current allocation of around ₹1,300 crore may not be sufficient.
Concerns were also raised over the appointment of United India Insurance Company, with PHANA pointing out pending dues from a previous state health scheme. The association sought clarity on who would be responsible if funds are exhausted or payments are delayed.
Government Assurances and Way Forward
Despite these concerns, PHANA welcomed the scheme, noting that it aligns with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on Universal Health Coverage. The association, which represents nearly 500 private hospitals in Punjab, said small and medium hospitals form the backbone of the scheme.
PHANA President Dr Vikas Chhabra said the scheme could prove to be a boon for poor and underprivileged sections of society and reflects the government’s strong commitment to healthcare access for all.
Government officials have assured hospitals that payments will be regular and made within 15 days, which they described as essential for the sustainable success of the scheme.
With the launch of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, Punjab has taken a major step towards universal, cashless healthcare one that could significantly reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and improve health outcomes across the state.
