CHANDIGARH, March 16:
The Bhagwant Mann Government has further strengthened its commitment to universal healthcare access by allocating ₹2,000 crore to the ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna’ in the Punjab Budget 2026-27. The allocation reinforces one of Punjab’s largest healthcare protection initiatives under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, aimed at ensuring that families do not have to delay critical treatment due to financial constraints.
For many families, a medical emergency often begins with two urgent questions about how quickly treatment can begin and how the cost will be managed. Over the past months, families across Punjab have found answers through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, a health protection programme that has steadily expanded its reach across Punjab.
Building on this momentum, the Punjab Government has allocated ₹2,000 crore for the scheme in the 2026-27 Budget to further expand its reach and ensure that families across Punjab continue to receive cashless medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh at government and empanelled private hospitals.
The programme now covers nearly 65 lakh families across Punjab, benefiting close to 3 crore residents and offering protection against the financial shock that often accompanies serious illness. The programme’s growing reach is reflected in the rapid expansion of enrolment and healthcare partnerships across Punjab.
More than 9 lakh Sehat Cards have already been issued, enabling beneficiaries to access treatment at over 820 empanelled government and private hospitals. The scheme currently offers more than 2,300 treatment packages covering a wide range of medical procedures.
Speaking about the enhanced allocation in the Budget, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In moments of illness, families should not have to think about money before seeking treatment. Our aim is simple: every household in Punjab should have the confidence that quality healthcare will be available when they need it most.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “Through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, thousands of families who once struggled with medical expenses are now able to access treatment without financial stress.”
Under the scheme, beneficiaries can receive treatment for a wide range of serious medical conditions including heart disease, cancer, kidney ailments, orthopaedic procedures and accident-related injuries without paying upfront costs. This coverage ensures that treatment decisions are guided by medical urgency rather than a family’s financial capacity.
Medical services across Punjab have also been strengthened through the appointment of over 1,500 doctors in recent years, including more than 600 specialists and over 900 general doctors, accounting for nearly 35 percent of the doctors currently serving across Punjab.
The Punjab Government continues to encourage eligible residents to enrol for the Sehat Card at nearby Seva Kendras and Common Service Centres to avail cashless treatment benefits under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna. To expand awareness and enrolment, trained youth club members are already conducting door-to-door campaigns to assist residents in registering and getting their Sehat Cards issued.
