Bhagwant Mann government’s ‘Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana’ became a boon, 65 year old mother got free knee operation

April 17 brought a lot of happiness in the life of 65-year-old Kewal Kaur of village Panwa located in Dasuha area of ​​Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. For the past several years, she was suffering from unbearable knee pain, due to which her world was limited to pain only. She couldn’t walk without support and every day felt like a struggle.

Today, Kewal Kaur is moving towards standing on her feet again, that too without any financial burden, thanks to the health initiatives of the Bhagwant Mann government.

Operation conducted in ‘Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences’ Jalandhar

Under ‘Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana’, his knee operation was successfully done at ‘Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences’, Jalandhar. At one time, this treatment seemed financially out of reach for the family because earlier the operation used to cost around Rs 1.5 lakh, which is now done absolutely free.

Kewal Kaur’s son Mandeep Singh, a farmer, gets emotional remembering these difficult times. His mother remained in constant pain for almost five years. He consulted many doctors and took medicines, but did not get any permanent relief. Eventually the condition became such that it became difficult to walk even a single step without support. He explains, "When my mother became completely dependent, surgery was the only hope."

Mandeep had earlier read about this scheme in the newspaper and got a health card made, which brought a big change in his life. After hospital procedures, on April 17, Dr. Anit Sachar and his team successfully completed the surgery in a procedure of about two hours. Now recovery has begun, and so has the return of self-respect and peace. Although the stitches are still in and will be removed soon, the pain which was a part of his life for years is now beginning to subside. Kewal Kaur gets emotional and says, "Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is like a third son to me. My operation was done without spending a single penny. Now I am not a burden on anyone. Life will be easier now."

For the family, it was not just a medical procedure, but a return of self-respect. Mandeep says that even though his children live abroad and financial help was also possible, this scheme gave him freedom and respect. He also told that along with Kewal Kaur, about five other elderly patients from Mohali, Hoshiarpur and nearby villages also got knee operation under the same scheme. The initial tests cost around Rs 2,400, but the entire treatment was free.

What did Mandeep Singh say on the plan?

According to Mandeep, free treatment up to ₹ 10 lakh under this scheme is no less than a boon for poor and middle class families. Kewal Kaur’s story is not just a story of a successful operation, but it is a clear example of how when the right help is given at the right time, it not only brings back health but also hope, self-respect and the will to live.