Chandigarh: Punjab has set a benchmark in large-scale public healthcare delivery under the ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna’, emerging as a leading model nationally with over 30.51 lakh families enrolled and Rs 292 crore worth of free treatment approved within three months of its launch, claimed Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh.Addressing a press conference on Friday, Dr Balbir Singh said: “The scheme has so far registered 30,51,325 beneficiaries and issued 1,77,097 free authorisations for treatment. The total approved value of treatment stands at Rs 292 crore, of which Rs 267 crore has already been approved. We have settled 71,000 claims, and disbursed Rs 60 crore to empanelled hospitals.”Assuring hospitals of timely payments, the minister said the Bhagwant Mann govt had put in place a robust mechanism to clear dues. “All pending dues up to March 31 will be cleared by April 15. No hospital will have a single rupee pending from our side,” he said.Dr Balbir Singh further outlined the new payment framework coming into effect from April 1. “Claims up to Rs 1 lakh will be settled within 15 days, while bills above Rs 1 lakh will be cleared within a week of submission. In case of disputes or verification requirements, the process will be completed within a month,” he said.The minister further said the scheme had already transformed lives across age groups. “Beneficiaries range from a one-year-old infant to a 99-year-old grandmother who received cancer treatment. We have covered complex cardiac procedures, including over 100 heart-related diseases. In one case, a patient with a ruptured sinus was successfully treated under the scheme at Patiala Medical College,” he noted.MSID:: 129848884 413 |
