Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna covers 30.5 lakh families in 3 months, Rs 292 crore treatment approved
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, March 27, 2026: Punjab has emerged as a frontrunner in large-scale public healthcare delivery, with over 30.51 lakh families enrolled under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna within just three months of its launch.
Highlighting the rapid rollout, Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh said the scheme has already approved ₹292 crore worth of free treatment, offering substantial financial relief to lakhs of families across the state.
Launched on January 8, 2026 under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the scheme has authorised 1.77 lakh treatments so far. Of the total approved amount, ₹267 crore has already been cleared, while 71,000 claims have been settled and ₹60 crore disbursed to empanelled hospitals, reflecting what the government describes as one of the fastest healthcare rollouts in the country.
Addressing a press conference, the minister termed the progress “historic,” asserting that Punjab has outperformed other states across key indicators such as enrolment, treatment approvals, and beneficiary coverage. He emphasised that the initiative is not only expanding healthcare access but also reducing out-of-pocket expenditure for ordinary citizens.
Reassuring hospitals over payments, Balbir Singh said a time-bound mechanism has been put in place to ensure efficiency and trust. All pending dues up to March 31 will be cleared by April 15, he said, adding that no hospital will have outstanding payments from the government side.
From April 1, a new payment framework will be implemented, under which claims up to ₹1 lakh will be settled within 15 days, while higher-value claims will be cleared within a week of submission. Cases requiring verification or dispute resolution will be processed within a month.
Highlighting the scheme’s impact, the minister noted that beneficiaries span all age groups—from infants to the elderly—with coverage extending to complex procedures, including cardiac treatments. He cited cases such as a successful critical surgery at Patiala Medical College as evidence of the scheme’s reach and effectiveness.
Stressing the broader economic impact, he said that government spending on healthcare under the scheme directly translates into savings for citizens. The State Health Agency, in coordination with United India Insurance, is overseeing implementation to ensure seamless delivery of services across Punjab.