‘No one will die of illness now’: Punjab CM unveils free health cover of ₹10 lakh for every family

Mohali (The Uttam Hindu) – There is significant news of relief for the people of Punjab regarding healthcare services. Starting today, free treatment up to ₹10 lakh will be available in the state. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal formally launched the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme in Mohali.

According to the government, this scheme will cover all medical expenses. There are no income requirements or age limits. To benefit from this scheme, beneficiaries must have a Punjab Aadhaar card or voter ID card. Importantly, this insurance scheme will benefit the entire family.

No Punjabi will die from illness anymore: Kejriwal

After launching the health insurance scheme, Arvind Kejriwal said, "Today is a historic day. What has happened in Punjab should have happened in 1950. In the 75 years since independence, many governments have come, but none have taken care of the people. Take the example of Punjab. There was terrorism in Punjab, then the drug crisis. But they say there is a time for everything. The era that has been going on in Punjab for the last four years will be written in golden letters." Kejriwal said, "No Punjabi will die from illness anymore. The scheme introduced by the Punjab government is for everyone; we do not consider any Congress or Akali. Everyone will benefit from it, and everyone will be able to get treatment in both government and private hospitals."

CM Mann said, "There's no more blue or green cards."

CM Bhagwant Mann said that every household is included in the health insurance scheme. There's no green or blue card. Health is important for everyone. I know many households where, if a grandfather, father, or mother fell ill, they would say, "Don't get me treated, because the cost of treatment will cost me the land." I've seen many households waiting for death. Families had no money, so they would take out loans, causing them to die while still alive. But that's past now. Now, once they reach a hospital, the hospital will provide treatment.

He said that this Punjab government scheme includes a package for all diseases, including kidney, heart, and cancer. Knee surgeries for the elderly, and even maternal and child care are included. CM Mann also said that previous governments had implemented schemes that imposed numerous conditions to benefit their favorites. Take the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Prime Minister's Housing Scheme), not a single house from Punjab is included in it. For example, there's a requirement that it must not be made of bricks. There should not be a bicycle fan or gas stove in the house.