PATIALA : For families relying on daily wages, even short hospital stays can wipe out months of earnings. For Gurtej Singh, a mechanic from Mandoli village in Patiala district, sudden illness meant not only lost income but also the looming threat of medical debt.
Within days of being admitted to Chaman Hospital in Bahadurgarh, Gurtej Singh’s family had spent nearly ₹10,000 on bed charges and medicines. Doctors estimated total expenses could rise to ₹80,000–90,000, far exceeding the household’s irregular income.
Cashless Treatment Through Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana
Financial relief came when Gurtej Singh was informed about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, implemented by the Government of Punjab under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. With the help of the health card, he received six days of complete treatment without paying any additional cost, as all expenses were covered under the scheme.
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said, “Our focus is to ensure even families with irregular income can seek quality treatment without fear of cost. Financial protection during illness is as important as medical care itself.”
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Gurtej Singh added, “The biggest worry was how we would arrange the money. Without the health card, we would have had to borrow and struggle for months. The scheme protected my family from that burden,” noting that the financial strain would have directly affected his daughters’ education and well-being.
Scheme Coverage and Benefits
The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana provides cashless healthcare coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per eligible family annually. The initiative aims to prevent medical emergencies from turning into long-term financial setbacks for working families across Punjab.
The scheme targets nearly 3 crore residents across approximately 65 lakh families. It covers more than 2,300 treatment packages at over 800 hospitals throughout the state, ensuring that vulnerable households can access quality medical care without slipping into debt.