Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday appealed to the people of Punjab not to be misled by “malicious propaganda” spread by “anti-Punjab forces” regarding the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the flagship healthcare programme of the state govt.In a video message, Mann said, “The Punjab govt launched this ambitious scheme to ensure that every resident of Punjab, especially those from the weaker sections of society, has direct access to quality medical treatment.”Mann said, “The state govt has empanelled a majority of private hospitals under the scheme. Rates have been fixed by the govt for around 2,600 ailments and treatments. The govt will pay hospitals as per the mutually agreed rates, regardless of the fact that these hospitals may charge higher amounts from private individuals. Hospitals are duty-bound to provide treatment at the rates fixed by the govt, and they must ensure that treatment is given free of cost to the beneficiaries.“Mann asserted, “The hospitals will be paid directly by the govt, and not even a single penny will be charged from the beneficiaries, despite attempts by forces inimical to the state to paint a different picture.”Explaining the scope of the initiative, Mann said, “To provide comprehensive healthcare to the people, the state govt introduced the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, a first-of-its-kind scheme in the country, under which every resident family in Punjab is entitled to cashless medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh.”He added, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Punjab became the first Indian state to offer such extensive healthcare coverage. This scheme will significantly reduce the financial burden on the public while ensuring access to quality health services.”“The scheme received an overwhelming response from the people of Punjab, who are coming forward in large numbers to avail its benefits. This initiative provided major relief to families who otherwise would have to spend huge amounts from their own pockets for treatment in case of illness,” he said.Mann cautioned against misinformation, saying, “Some anti-Punjab forces, who do not want the people of the state to benefit from such facilities, are deliberately spreading falsehoods about this ambitious scheme. These misnomers are intended to discourage people from availing the benefits of the scheme, which is completely unwarranted and undesirable.”“Treatment under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna will be completely free of cost, and no fees will be charged from patients by the hospitals. People of Punjab must remain alert to such forces that are hell-bent on harming public interest by spreading baseless rumours. I urge everyone not to get swayed by such canards,” he said.Issuing a warning to erring hospitals, the chief minister said, “If any hospital demands money from a patient under this scheme, a complaint should be lodged with the state govt immediately. The govt will take strict, punitive, and exemplary action against any hospital found indulging in such malpractices. I urge the people of Punjab to take maximum benefit of this scheme, which already earned accolades from across the globe.“
