CHANDIGARH, JUNE 1 — A shifting public health landscape has made orthopaedic care a primary driver of public healthcare delivery in Punjab, with the state’s flagship insurance scheme providing over ₹84 crore for bone and joint treatments over a four-month period.
The State Health Agency reported that total enrollment under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has now crossed the 45 lakh mark, reflecting an expansion of medical access. Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh affirmed that the administration is focused on strengthening affordable surgical care to counter the rising prevalence of mobility-limiting conditions.
“Under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, the government is working to provide cashless knee, hip, and trauma treatments to thousands of patients, reducing financial hardship while enhancing mobility and recovery,” Singh declared.
A breakdown of the medical data shows that the high expenditure is heavily tied to knee and hip deterioration therapies, alongside surgeries to repair fractures using specialized plates and pins. Officials maintained that these complex treatments, which typically strain household finances, are now being routinely handled by district and tertiary hospitals without charging the patients.
The rising caseload is particularly evident in major industrial and residential hubs. Ludhiana district has logged more than 4.8 lakh program beneficiaries, while Patiala district has recorded around 4.1 lakh citizens participating in the cashless system.
The practical application of the coverage was recently seen in the case of Gulshan Taneja, a resident of the Rajpura area who suffered a debilitating workplace injury. After experiencing chronic knee swelling and an inability to walk without support, he was admitted to Rajindra Hospital for corrective ligament surgery.
The entire procedure and subsequent hospital stay, totaling ₹86,750, were fully covered by the state initiative.
“The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is helping us reduce out-of-pocket expenditure by making such treatments accessible,” Taneja asserted, stating that the coverage removed the immediate threat of heavy medical debt during his recovery period.
