Punjab Launches Free Healthcare for 30 Million Residents

Nearly 30 million people in Punjab, India just gained access to free healthcare in what officials are calling the biggest health initiative since independence.

The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna launched Thursday, offering every family in the state up to 1 million rupees (about $12,000) in cashless medical coverage. All 6.5 million families qualify, regardless of income.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the program at a gathering in Mohali, describing it as a historic milestone. Any Punjab resident with an Aadhaar card or voter ID can receive treatment at 850 government and private hospitals now enrolled in the program.

The coverage includes over 2,500 medical procedures spanning cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, neurology, and other specialties. Families can register online or at facilitation centers, with youth volunteers helping residents sign up door to door.

Punjab's government says the universal approach sets a new standard for India. Previous health programs excluded families based on income, home construction materials, or ownership of items like LPG cylinders.

The state has also opened 1,000 air-conditioned community clinics in the past four years and hired over 1,000 doctors and specialists. Officials plan to add 2,500 rural clinics within the next five months to expand access further.

The Ripple Effect

Punjab now joins a small group of regions offering truly universal healthcare with no eligibility restrictions. The program demonstrates how state governments can fulfill ambitious health promises even with limited budgets.

For families who previously delayed treatment due to costs, the coverage removes a major barrier to care. Cancer patients, heart disease sufferers, and people needing specialized surgery can now seek help without financial worry.

The initiative also creates a model other Indian states may follow, potentially expanding quality healthcare access to hundreds of millions more people across the country.

When healthcare becomes a right instead of a privilege, entire communities grow healthier together.