Punjab government doubles health insurance cover to Rs 10 lakh, expands medical facilities

In a major step towards universal healthcare access, Punjab Health and Medical Education Minister Dr. Balbir Singh hailed the increased budget allocation for the health sector as “transformational.” 

He especially praised the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government for expanding the Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojna to cover every citizen and doubling the insurance coverage from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per family annually.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, while presenting the ‘Badalda Punjab’ Budget 2025-26 in the Vidhan Sabha, announced a 10% increase in the health sector budget to ₹5,598 crore. This allocation aims to strengthen infrastructure, expand Aam Aadmi Clinics, and enhance emergency healthcare under the FARISHTEY Scheme. Additionally, the Medical Education and Research sector has received a 27% budget hike, reaching ₹1,336 crore.

Dr. Balbir Singh termed the budget as “historic and progressive” and highlighted that bringing all 65 lakh families under the Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana is a game-changer. “This ensures that no citizen in Punjab will ever have to worry about medical expenses again,” he emphasized.

Currently, only 45 lakh families are covered under the health insurance scheme—16 lakh under the Central government’s Ayushman Bharat and 29 lakh under Punjab’s SSBY. The new budget removes all eligibility restrictions, extending coverage to every household, regardless of income or location. This marks the first time in Punjab’s history that every single family—urban or rural, rich or poor—will have comprehensive health security.

Families enrolled under Ayushman Bharat will also receive an additional ₹5 lakh top-up from the state, increasing their total insurance coverage to ₹10 lakh. Additionally, all beneficiaries will receive Sehat Cards, enabling cashless treatment at government and private empaneled hospitals.

Dr. Balbir Singh also announced that a new medical college with 50 MBBS seats will be established at Barnala Kalan in SBS Nagar during the financial year 2025-26.

Additionally, following the success of the "CM Di Yogshala" program, which currently benefits 1.5 lakh residents through 3,200 daily yoga sessions, the initiative will now be expanded to reach two lakh participants.