Over 6,000 cardiac procedures performed under Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana in 5 months: Dr. Balbir Singh
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 27, 2026: More than 6,000 life-saving cardiac procedures have been carried out under the Punjab Government’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana in the past five months, significantly improving access to emergency heart treatment through cashless healthcare, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said on Saturday.
According to the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, a total of 6,138 patients have undergone cardiac procedures under the scheme, the majority being Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), a critical intervention used to restore blood flow during heart attacks. The treatment category has incurred expenditure of ₹64.82 crore, making it the second-highest expenditure under the scheme after knee replacement surgeries.
Highlighting the impact of the initiative, Dr Balbir Singh said the scheme ensures that patients receive timely treatment without the burden of arranging money during medical emergencies.
“No family should lose a loved one because they could not arrange money in time. Cashless treatment under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana allows doctors to begin treatment immediately, helping save precious lives,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Sheikh Zishan Qureshi from Malerkotla, underwent an emergency angioplasty and diagnostic angiogram after suffering a heart ailment. Treatment costing ₹80,320 was covered under the scheme.
“It was a huge relief for my family that the treatment was carried out on time without any financial stress. The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has made emergency healthcare accessible for people across Punjab,” Qureshi said.
In another case, Harjinder Kaur, a 60-year-old woman from Gurdaspur, underwent angioplasty, a diagnostic angiogram and temporary pacemaker implantation at Mahajan Hospital, Amritsar. Her son, Gurmeet Singh, said the family would not have been able to afford the treatment without the health card.
Dr Saurabh Sharma, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology at Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, stressed that timely intervention is crucial during a heart attack.
“Every minute of delay increases the risk of permanent heart damage. Cashless treatment enables doctors to start treatment immediately instead of waiting for patients’ families to arrange funds,” he said.
Dr Balbir Singh said the growing number of cardiac procedures under the scheme reflects increasing public awareness and confidence in government-supported healthcare. He added that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana continues to provide cashless treatment for a wide range of medical procedures, including advanced cardiac care, benefiting families across Punjab.