Chandigarh: Just over three months since the launch of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY), more than 5,000 cardiac procedures have been carried out across the state.Doctors across Punjab report a concerning rise in heart-related cases, not just among the elderly but increasingly among younger patients. Sedentary lifestyles, stress, unhealthy diets and rising diabetes levels are key contributors.According to the State Health Agency (SHA), a total of 5,054 cardiac procedures have been carried out under the Sehat Yojana in recent months. This includes 5,000 PTCA (Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty) procedures, inclusive of diagnostic angiograms, and 54 cases of peripheral angioplasty.The total value of these treatments stands at approximately Rs 50 crore, with PTCA procedures accounting for the overwhelming share of both cases and expenditure.Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh said the impact is already visible. “More patients are surviving what was once almost certainly fatal. In those critical moments, speed, supported by systems like the Sehat Card, is becoming the state’s strongest lifesaver,” he said.Cardiology units in hospitals are adapting rapidly. Emergency protocols are being streamlined to ensure that suspected heart attack patients are quickly assessed and moved to intervention without administrative bottlenecks.Dr Saurabh Sharma, associate professor and head of the department of cardiology at GMC and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, said, “The Sehat Card is helping people get timely treatment. The reduction in financial hesitation is a key factor. Previously, uncertainty over treatment costs often caused families to delay consent for procedures.” He added that with cashless coverage, that barrier has largely been addressed.Earlier, patients often faced dangerous delays due to referrals to larger city hospitals. Now, with wider empanelment and better-equipped facilities under the scheme, more centres are capable of initiating angioplasty without transferring patients over long distances.The state has expanded coverage under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, which provides cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh annually for all families at govt and empanelled private hospitals. A majority of tests and medicines are covered under the scheme, helping reduce out-of-pocket expenditure.
