Over Half of Cancer Patients Treated Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Are Aged 36 to 60
Bhagwant Mann Govt Is Ensuring Quality Cancer Treatment Without Burden of Medical Expenses: Dr. Balbir Singh
CHANDIGARH, July 24:
Punjab Spends ₹20.22 Crore on Cancer Treatment for 8,069 Patients Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. Adults aged 36–60 form over half of beneficiaries; June records highest monthly treatment load
A cancer diagnosis is frightening enough. For many families, the fear becomes heavier when the next question is not only “Can the disease be treated?” but also “Can we afford the treatment?” That is the gap the Bhagwant Mann Government’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is attempting to address.
According to figures shared by the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, 8,069 cancer patients received cashless treatment under the scheme up to July 18, 2026, with the government spending ₹20.22 crore on their care.
Behind these numbers are thousands of families trying to make decisions at a time when every delay matters. Cancer treatment has improved significantly, with advances in surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies offering patients better chances than before. But medical progress only helps when patients can reach treatment in time.
The age profile of beneficiaries also tells an important story. Cancer is often associated with old age, but the data shows that a large share of patients are in their working years. Of the patients treated under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, 4,285 were between 36 and 60 years of age, making them the largest group. Another 3,376 patients were above 60 years, while 399 beneficiaries were aged 17–35 years and nine were below 17.
For families, a cancer diagnosis can quickly become a financial crisis. Treatment may involve repeated hospital visits, expensive procedures and long-term care. Even when the disease is treatable, the cost can decide how quickly a patient begins the fight.
Darshan Devi from Samana knows that uncertainty. As her pain increased, doctors advised surgery, but the estimated cost of ₹4–5 lakh was a major concern for her family. After she was approved under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, her cancer surgery was performed without any out-of-pocket expense. For her, the scheme was not simply a healthcare benefit; it removed one of the biggest obstacles standing between diagnosis and treatment.
Punjab’s treatment data shows that demand for cancer care has remained consistent through the year. The number of patients receiving treatment increased from 842 in January to 1,080 in February, 1,175 in March and 1,350 in April. Although the figure fell slightly to 1,275 in May, June recorded the highest number of treatments at 1,468 patients. In the first 18 days of July alone, 879 patients had already received care.
The rising requirement for cancer services also reflects a larger national challenge.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has estimated that India recorded nearly 14.6 lakh new cancer cases in 2022, with the burden expected to increase in the coming years. Changing lifestyles, population ageing and improved detection are among the factors contributing to the growing number of cases.
But numbers alone do not capture the full picture. Cancer remains a disease where time often determines outcomes. A delay in diagnosis or treatment can allow the disease to progress and may make care more difficult and expensive. For families already under stress, arranging money quickly can become an additional battle.
Since the launch of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana on January 8, 2026, a total of 2,68,274 beneficiaries have availed treatment under the scheme, accounting for 5,31,386 treatment cases. As of July 20, 2026, the total value of treatment provided under the scheme stands at ₹950.35 crore.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said the Bhagwant Mann Government’s focus through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana was to ensure that financial hardship does not become a barrier to cancer treatment. “Cancer is becoming one of the major public health challenges of our time. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can significantly improve outcomes. Through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, eligible patients are being provided with access to quality cancer care without worrying about treatment costs,” he said.
Minister Dr. Balbir Singh also appealed to people not to ignore warning signs such as persistent lumps, unexplained weight loss, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, or changes in bowel and bladder habits.
