Diabetes rarely begins with a medical emergency. It often starts without a warning, with constant thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, unexplained tiredness, numbness in the feet or a wound that refuses to heal. These warning signs are frequently ignored until serious complications require hospitalisation, intensive care, surgery or dialysis.

Punjab’s latest health data under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana reveals that diabetes is no longer confined to old age. Increasingly, it is affecting people in the middle of their working lives, placing a growing burden on families, employers and the healthcare system.

According to the World Health Organization, diabetes cases continue to rise globally due to unhealthy diets, increasing consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks, physical inactivity, obesity, tobacco use and harmful alcohol consumption. Long working hours, inadequate sleep and chronic stress have further increased the risk of developing the disease.

Data shared by the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, a universal healthcare scheme led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, as on 21 July 2026,records 2,300 diabetes-related treatment-episodes worth nearly ₹6.5 crore (₹6,49,99,151.6). Adults between 36 and 60 years accounted for the highest number of cases (1,123), followed by senior citizens above 60 years (809), youth aged 17–35 years (243) and children aged 0–16 years (125). The data indicates that diabetes is increasingly affecting Punjab’s economically productive population while also impacting younger age groups.

The treatment data also highlights the severity of cases reaching hospitals. Diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication caused by dangerously uncontrolled blood sugar, accounted for the highest number of treatment claims.

Diabetic foot, resulting from long-term nerve and blood vessel damage, emerged as the second major condition requiring treatment. Several patients also required dialysis, blood transfusions, CT and MRI scans, intensive care and diabetic foot surgery, reflecting the advanced stage of disease at the time of hospitalisation.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said the figures should serve as a warning for every household. “These are not people who have reached the twilight of life. They are the state’s workforce, the people raising families, running businesses, paying loans and supporting ageing parents. When diabetes pushes this age group into hospital, the impact stretches far beyond the patient,” he added.

He urged people not to ignore early warning signs and to undergo regular blood sugar screening. “Preventing diabetes is far easier than treating its consequences. Do not wait for complications to occur. Hospitals can save lives, but they cannot give people back the years lost to neglect,” Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said.

While Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana continues to provide financial protection by covering treatment costs, health experts emphasise that prevention remains the most effective strategy. Timely diagnosis, regular screening, healthy eating, physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding tobacco and harmful alcohol use can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes and its potentially disabling complications.

What the Diabetes Data Reveals:

•Adults aged 36–60 years accounted for thehighest number of diabetes-related cases(1,123), followed by senior citizens above 60 years (809), youth aged 17–35 years (243) and children aged 0–16 years (125).

•Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has covered 2,300 diabetes-related treatment episodes worth nearly ₹6.5 crore (₹6,49,99,151.6) as on 21 July 2026.

•Diabetic ketoacidosis was the most frequently claimed treatment package, indicating many patients reached hospitals with dangerously uncontrolled diabetes.

•Diabetic foot emerged as the second major complication, reflecting long-term nerve and blood vessel damage.

•Many patients required advanced care, including dialysis, ICU treatment, blood transfusions, CT/MRI scans and diabetic foot surgery.

•Early screening, healthy lifestyles and timely management remain the most effective ways to prevent serious diabetes complications.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab on Tuesday strongly condemned the attack on a bus operating under the Punjab Government’s Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra Scheme and said that the incident was carried out by Congress Karyakartas (workers) who were frustrated by the growing popularity and success of the welfare initiative.

Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media Incharge Baltej Pannu, accompanied by AAP leader Shaminder Singh Khinda, said the Bhagwant Mann Government’s Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra Scheme has emerged as one of the state’s most successful public welfare initiatives, enabling lakhs of people to undertake pilgrimages free of cost.

Calling out the Congress, Baltej Pannu said, “Opposition parties are unable to digest the success of the Bhagwant Mann Government’s welfare initiatives. When the AAP government came to power, the opposition claimed it would not survive even three months. When the government completed three months, they said it would not complete a year. Today, the government is successfully completing its five-year term.”

Baltej Pannu also pointed out the opposition of repeatedly spreading baseless rumours whenever Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann goes for routine medical check-ups, alleging that they have consistently tried to create unnecessary speculation to mislead the public.

Referring to the attack on the Teerath Yatra bus, Baltej Pannu said that two persons arrested by the Amritsar Rural Police, Gurpinder Singh alias Lali and Baljit Singh Sheesha, have links with the Congress party. He said the bus was attacked without any provocation or reason. “The only reason behind this attack is that Congress cannot tolerate the appreciation people express for the Bhagwant Mann Government after returning from these pilgrimages. Every devotee who benefits from the scheme praises the government, and this has become unbearable for the Congress,” he said.

Baltej Pannu further asserted that two other Congress-linked individuals, Sunny and Harpreet Singh, tried to pressure the police into releasing the accused and preventing legal action against them. “The police are investigating who instigated the accused and the larger conspiracy behind the attack. The Bhagwant Mann Government remains committed to continuing the Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra Scheme and will not allow anyone to disrupt a programme that has brought spiritual fulfilment and happiness to lakhs of Punjabis,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shaminder Singh Khinda informed that more than 3.5 lakh devotees have already benefited from the scheme by visiting revered religious places including Sri Anandpur Sahib, Mata Naina Devi Temple and Sri Darbar Sahib. He added that in the coming days, the government will also start pilgrimage services to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura, Vrindavan, Khatu Shyam and Salasar Dham.

He said the Punjab Government takes complete responsibility for the pilgrims throughout the journey, including transportation, accommodation, food and other arrangements. Khinda said many people, especially from economically weaker families, had never been able to visit these religious places due to financial constraints. “The Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra Scheme was launched to fulfil the wishes of such people. The scheme has continued uninterrupted since its launch and has not remained suspended even for a single day. Despite lakhs of beneficiaries, not a single complaint has been reported regarding the arrangements,” he said.