Young adults benefited the most, 135 heart patients got free treatment under ‘Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana’

New Delhi: Manjeet Singh, 58, of Fazilka district, ignored his chest pain for several weeks, considering it normal fatigue. But when chest pain started recurring and he started feeling uneasy even after walking a short distance, he got himself medically examined. Tests revealed that he had a blockage in a coronary artery of his heart and required immediate treatment. Within a few hours he was taken to the catheterization lab, where doctors performed angioplasty, inserted a stent and normalized blood flow to his heart.

Timely treatment and increasing heart diseases in youth

While Manjeet Singh’s case highlights the importance of timely treatment, official statistics also show that cardiovascular diseases are affecting a large number of young people. Young adults in the age group of 17 to 35 years have recorded the largest share among beneficiaries receiving cashless heart treatment under the Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana. This highlights the importance of timely screening and access to specialist cardiovascular services among youth.

warning signs of heart disease

Heart disease often does not come without warning. Its main signs can be persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue or pain spreading to the arms, jaw or back. But people often ignore these symptoms until the condition becomes a serious medical emergency. Doctors say that by identifying these warning signs in time and getting immediate treatment, the chances of saving life and preventing permanent damage to the heart increases significantly.

The challenge of increasing heart disease in India

This challenge is continuously increasing in India. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), heart and vascular diseases have become the leading cause of illness and death in the country over the last three decades. Conditions like rapid urbanization, inactive lifestyle, unbalanced diet, tobacco consumption, diabetes and high blood pressure have made this problem more serious. Although advances in cardiovascular medicine have increased the chances of survival for patients, the high cost of treatment still puts life-saving treatment out of reach for many families.

Economic challenge and Chief Minister Health Scheme

For patients like Manjeet Singh, the biggest challenge was not medical, but financial. Many families in Punjab who face cardiac emergencies are receiving timely treatment under the Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana. The scheme covers the entire cost of cardiac treatment for eligible patients. By removing the burden of heavy hospital bills, this scheme is enabling patients to get treatment on time instead of postponing treatment due to financial constraints.

Scheme figures: Rs 2.71 crore assistance to 135 patients

The impact of the scheme is also assessed by the data released by the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab. Till July 15, 2026, cashless heart treatment has been provided to 135 patients under the Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana, for whose treatment an assistance of Rs 2.71 crore has been provided. These treatments include surgery for congenital heart defects, heart valve disorders and other complex heart diseases. These figures reflect the growing need for specialist cardiovascular services and also highlight the important role funding plays in ensuring timely life-saving treatment.

Health Minister’s statement: Awareness and timely treatment are necessary

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said that heart disease is one of the most serious public health challenges today, but many deaths can be prevented through awareness, timely screening and prompt medical attention. He appealed to people not to ignore persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue or other warning signs, as seeking timely medical attention can save lives.

There is no delay in treatment due to financial constraints.

He said, “No family should be forced to delay life-saving cardiac treatment due to financial constraints. Through Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana, we are ensuring that eligible patients have access to quality cardiac care at the right time without worrying about the cost of treatment. Timely diagnosis and treatment save lives and it is our commitment to ensure that such healthcare services reach every eligible family in Punjab.”

Dr. Karandeep Singh Syal: Better results with timely treatment

Dr. Karandeep Singh Sayal, Consultant Cardiologist and Head of the Department of Cardiology, My Hospital, Mohali (Indus Network Hospital), said, “Heart disease remains one of the biggest health challenges in the country. A large number of cases of congenital heart defects and other complex heart diseases require treatment. However, timely detection and treatment can save many lives.”

Prevention is the best protection

Dr. Karandeep Singh Sayal said that due to financial security, patients come forward for treatment without delay, due to which the treatment results are better and the patients get well soon. He added, “At the same time, prevention is our best defense. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, getting regular physical activity, keeping blood pressure and diabetes under control, and getting periodic heart checkups can significantly reduce the risk of serious heart diseases.”

Manjeet Singh’s relief: Treatment without financial worries

Today Manjeet Singh is living a healthy life with his family and is grateful that his medical crisis did not turn into a financial crisis. His story is the story of many people in Punjab who have been able to get timely cardiac treatment under this scheme. Manjeet Singh said, “The biggest consolation is not just that better medical facilities are available, but the fact that whether we get timely treatment or not does not depend on our financial capacity.”