Chandigarh, July 25: Punjab has disbursed ₹20.22 crore to cover cashless cancer treatment for 8,069 patients through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana up to July 18, 2026, aiming to ensure timely medical care without financial strain.
Official records from the State Health Agency indicate a steady rise in healthcare utilization, touching a single-month high of 1,468 cancer cases in June. Patient intake moved from 842 cases in January to 1,175 in March and 1,350 in April, with 879 additional cases treated during the first 18 days of July.
Demographic analysis reveals that adults in their primary earning years accounted for more than half of the care seekers. A total of 4,285 beneficiaries fell within the 36–60 age group, whereas 3,376 were aged over 60 years. Smaller segments included 399 young adults aged 17–35 and nine pediatric patients under 17.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh asserted that early intervention remains critical in improving survival rates. “Through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, eligible patients are being provided with access to quality cancer care without worrying about treatment costs,” he declared, urging the public not to ignore early symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, persistent cough, abnormal bleeding, or bodily lumps.
The financial relief offered by the scheme addresses significant personal challenges. For instance, Darshan Devi from Samana, who required urgent surgery costing ₹4–5 lakh, received complete treatment without out-of-pocket expenses following her approval under the program.
Overall, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has provided treatment valued at ₹950.35 crore across 5,31,386 cases since its rollout on January 8, 2026. The rising health needs mirror broader trends across India, where the Indian Council of Medical Research recorded nearly 14.6 lakh new cancer cases in 2022 due to shifting lifestyle factors, aging populations, and enhanced diagnostic capabilities.
