No Delay, No Financial Stress: Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Becomes Lifeline for Heart Patients
CHANDIGARH, June 27:
When Sheikh Zishan Qureshi of Malerkotla experienced a serious heart condition, he required immediate medical attention. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors performed a Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), commonly known as angioplasty, along with a diagnostic angiogram.
PTCA is a critical life-saving procedure used to open blocked arteries and restore blood flow to the heart during a heart attack. Medical experts emphasize that every minute is crucial, as delays can lead to permanent heart damage and increase the risk of death. However, for many families, arranging funds during such emergencies can become a major challenge.
The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is helping eliminate this financial barrier by providing cashless healthcare services to eligible families. In Sheikh Zishan Qureshi’s case, treatment expenses amounting to ₹80,320 were covered under the scheme.
“It was a great relief for my family and me that the treatment was completed on time without any financial stress. The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has made emergency healthcare more accessible for people across Punjab,” said Sheikh Zishan Qureshi.
According to the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, more than 6,000 cardiac procedures have been carried out under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana in the past five months. A majority of these procedures were PTCA treatments, allowing patients to receive urgent care without worrying about hospital expenses.
PTCA along with diagnostic angiography is the second-highest expenditure category under the scheme, with spending of ₹64.82 crore, following knee replacement procedures. The treatment has benefited 6,138 patients across Punjab, with an average cost of around ₹1.05 lakh per case. The cost varies depending on the complexity of each patient’s medical condition.
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As a time-sensitive procedure for heart attack patients, PTCA plays a vital role in saving lives. The cashless facility under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana enables hospitals to begin treatment immediately without waiting for families to arrange payments.
Another beneficiary, 60-year-old Harjinder Kaur from Gurdaspur district, also received treatment under the scheme. She underwent PTCA, diagnostic angiography, and temporary pacemaker implantation at Mahajan Hospital, Amritsar.
Her son, Gurmeet Singh, a farmer, said the treatment would have been impossible for their family to afford without support from the scheme.
“Without the Sehat Card, I would not have been able to arrange my mother’s treatment. The cost was beyond our capacity. Today, she is recovering because of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana,” he said.
Dr Saurabh Sharma, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology at Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, said PTCA is among the most important emergency procedures for heart attack patients.
“Every minute of delay increases the possibility of permanent heart damage. Cashless treatment under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana allows doctors to start treatment immediately instead of waiting for families to arrange money,” he said.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said the scheme has significantly improved access to emergency cardiac care across the state.
“Cashless treatment has reduced hesitation among patients and families during medical emergencies. More people are reaching hospitals on time, and doctors can begin treatment without financial delays. This is helping save lives,” he said.
The Minister added that the increasing number of cardiac procedures under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana reflects growing awareness and public trust in government-supported healthcare services.
The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana provides cashless treatment facilities to families across Punjab, covering a wide range of medical services, including advanced cardiac procedures.
