Mann hails Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna as better than Ayushman Bharat

Chandigarh: While presenting the four-year report card of the health sector, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday drew a contrast between a "condition-ridden" Ayushman Bharat and the AAP govt's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna.He said the difference lies in "intent and delivery", describing the initiative as a model of "universal, accessible" healthcare. Mann added that 883 Aam Aadmi Clinics were operational in the state, and 100 more would be opened on March 28, while 400 clinics were under construction.Hitting out at those spreading canards about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, Mann said these people did not want to see Punjab healthy. "Some anti-Punjab forces who don't want people to benefit from such facilities are spreading canards about this scheme. These misnomers are aimed at discouraging people from availing its benefits, which is unwarranted and undesirable," said the CM.He further said: "Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna is a comprehensive healthcare plan for the well-being of all. Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which will significantly ease the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services."Drawing a comparison with the Centre's Ayushman Yojna, Mann said: "Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna is a boon for people, whereas Ayushman is a sham. The Centre has allocated merely Rs 9,300 crore for a population of 140 crore, whereas Punjab has allocated Rs 2,000 crore for just three crore people. This means Punjab is spending nearly 10 times more per capita, and unlike Ayushman, there are no restrictive conditions in our scheme."He noted: "Around 900 govt and private hospitals in Punjab and Chandigarh have been empanelled, 25 lakh beneficiaries have been registered, and over 1.6 lakh people have already received treatment. Rs 1,200 crore was allocated for 2025-26, and Rs 2,000 crore has been earmarked for 2026-27. The scheme covers 2,356 medical and surgical procedures, including orthopaedics, general medicine, heart, lung, kidney diseases, cancer treatment, and more."Mann added: "883 Aam Aadmi Clinics are operational across Punjab, and 100 more will be dedicated on March 28. Additionally, 400 clinics are under construction, where 47 tests and 107 medicines are available free of cost, with a patient satisfaction rate of 94%." "OPD footfall has crossed five crore, with 1.69 crore patients treated for specific conditions, and this model is now recognised across India," said the CM.On strengthening human resources, Mann said: "Punjab has witnessed the largest recruitment of doctors in its history since 2022, including 948 general doctors and 627 specialists, accounting for 35% of total govt doctor recruitment in over 75 years." He further stated: "300 nursing staff and 250 pharmacists have been recruited, and recruitment of 672 nurses is underway."The CM also said 22 critical care blocks with 50 beds each were under construction, and diagnostic services were being significantly expanded. "MRI services will be available in all district hospitals by October 2026, marking a 500% increase, while CT scan services have been expanded by 33%." He informed that PET scan facilities would be introduced in Amritsar, Faridkot, Mohali, and Patiala, and more than 200 empanelled private diagnostic centres were providing free X-ray and ultrasound services.AI-enabled Cancer Screening (BOX)On technological interventions in the health sector, CM Bhagwant Mann on Friday said: "For the first time in the country, AI-enabled cancer screening was conducted between Sept 2025 and March 2026, with 9,294 women screened for breast cancer." He also said: "Vision screening was conducted for 1.07 lakh people and 21,660 were identified with vision issues."MSID:: 129700525 413 |