Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh

On the occasion of World Lung Cancer Day, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann issued a strong message that no person should lose the fight against lung cancer simply because they cannot afford treatment. Through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY), the state government is not only bearing the cost of life-saving treatment but is also working continuously on prevention and early detection of the disease.

According to official figures, 708 lung cancer patients have so far received completely cashless treatment under the scheme. The government has approved claims worth ₹3.43 crore, providing major relief to hundreds of families who would otherwise have faced heavy hospital expenses.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said the government is committed to ensuring that patients receive timely treatment without worrying about medical bills.

“Through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, we are ensuring that people get treatment on time without the burden of expenses. Our responsibility is not limited to providing treatment; we also want to ensure that patients reach hospitals in time and that financial hardship never becomes a barrier to accessing standard healthcare services,” he said.

Minister added that Punjab has set an example for the country. Referring to NFHS-6, he said Punjab has been recognised as the state with the lowest tobacco consumption in India, which reflects the success of sustained awareness campaigns, effective tobacco-control measures, and active public participation.

Men and Women Beneficiaries

Data from the Punjab State Health Agency (SHA) shows that among the 708 beneficiaries, 413 men received treatment costing ₹1,89,68,865, while 295 women were provided cashless treatment worth ₹1,53,19,215.

Most Beneficiaries in the 61–75 Age Group

The age-wise analysis reveals that the highest number of beneficiaries — 286 patients — belonged to the 61–75 years category, with treatment expenditure of ₹1,34,56,310.

Other age groups included:

  • 46–60 years: 247 patients treated at a cost of ₹1,24,83,240

  • 31–45 years: 100 patients

  • 19–30 years: 9 patients

  • 13–18 years: 2 adolescent patients

Officials said these figures show that lung cancer can affect people across different age groups and underline the importance of early diagnosis and awareness.

Bathinda Reports Highest Number of Cases

District-wise data shows that Bathinda recorded the highest number of beneficiaries, with 179 patients receiving treatment worth ₹1,46,02,300.

The other major districts were:

  • Sangrur: 163 patients — ₹56,62,600

  • Faridkot: 149 patients — ₹37,85,760

  • Amritsar: 55 patients

  • Jalandhar: 42 patients

  • Patiala: 20 patients

  • S.A.S. Nagar: 19 patients

  • Ludhiana: 11 patients

  • Fatehgarh Sahib: 1 patient

  • Pathankot: 1 patient

In these districts, a total of 640 beneficiaries received treatment amounting to ₹3,17,04,235.

The Punjab Government said the scheme reflects its broader commitment to accessible, affordable, and preventive healthcare, ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent patients from receiving critical treatment for serious diseases such as lung cancer.