Chandigarh, July 1: Thousands of senior citizens across Punjab have regained their independence and health after undergoing advanced eye procedures sponsored entirely by the state government. Through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, the administration has cleared financial claims worth nearly two crore rupees to cover three thousand five hundred twenty-four successful surgeries. By routing these medical services through both government centers and empanelled private hospitals, the state has built a comprehensive network to handle routine and complex vision disorders efficiently.
Dr Munish Dhawan, Professor and Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at GGS Medical College, Faridkot, affirmed that the health program functions as a crucial safety net for the elderly. He declared that many senior citizens routinely ignore failing eyesight due to treatment costs, a trend that this initiative has effectively reversed.
“Eye surgeries covered under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana have been a major relief for elderly patients in particular. Procedures like cataract surgery are now more accessible, which directly improves quality of life and independence for patients who would otherwise struggle with untreated vision impairment,” Dr Dhawan stated. He also noted that the comprehensive medical package accommodates specialized procedures like squint correction and treatments for potentially blinding diseases such as glaucoma.
A closer look at the medical data shows a wide array of funded interventions, led dominantly by cataract procedures which accounted for the clear majority of claims. Small Incision Cataract Surgeries were successfully delivered to over three thousand patients, involving an expenditure of more than one crore fifty-four lakh rupees. Additionally, the state funded over three hundred operations for Pterygium with Conjunctival Autograft, as well as critical corrections for entropion and ectropion conditions across various age groups.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh maintained that strengthening the state’s healthcare machinery remains a top priority. He asserted that the current framework ensures timely access to specialized care, protecting vulnerable citizens from the risk of permanent blindness. The Minister counselled residents to remain vigilant against persistent eye irritation, excessive watering, and blurred vision, explaining that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana will continue to support eligible patients to help them lead healthier, self-reliant lives.
