Punjab Spends ₹20.22 Crore on Cancer Treatment for 8,069 Patients Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. Adults aged 36–60 form over half of beneficiaries; June records highest monthly treatment load

A cancer diagnosis is frightening enough. For many families, the fear becomes heavier when the next question is not only “Can the disease be treated?” but also “Can we afford the treatment?” That is the gap the Bhagwant Mann Government’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is attempting to address.

According to figures shared by the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, 8,069 cancer patients received cashless treatment under the scheme up to July 18, 2026, with the government spending ₹20.22 crore on their care.

Behind these numbers are thousands of families trying to make decisions at a time when every delay matters. Cancer treatment has improved significantly, with advances in surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies offering patients better chances than before. But medical progress only helps when patients can reach treatment in time.

The age profile of beneficiaries also tells an important story. Cancer is often associated with old age, but the data shows that a large share of patients are in their working years. Of the patients treated under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, 4,285 were between 36 and 60 years of age, making them the largest group. Another 3,376 patients were above 60 years, while 399 beneficiaries were aged 17–35 years and nine were below 17.

For families, a cancer diagnosis can quickly become a financial crisis. Treatment may involve repeated hospital visits, expensive procedures and long-term care. Even when the disease is treatable, the cost can decide how quickly a patient begins the fight.

Darshan Devi from Samana knows that uncertainty. As her pain increased, doctors advised surgery, but the estimated cost of ₹4–5 lakh was a major concern for her family. After she was approved under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, her cancer surgery was performed without any out-of-pocket expense. For her, the scheme was not simply a healthcare benefit; it removed one of the biggest obstacles standing between diagnosis and treatment.

Punjab’s treatment data shows that demand for cancer care has remained consistent through the year. The number of patients receiving treatment increased from 842 in January to 1,080 in February, 1,175 in March and 1,350 in April. Although the figure fell slightly to 1,275 in May, June recorded the highest number of treatments at 1,468 patients. In the first 18 days of July alone, 879 patients had already received care.

The rising requirement for cancer services also reflects a larger national challenge.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has estimated that India recorded nearly 14.6 lakh new cancer cases in 2022, with the burden expected to increase in the coming years. Changing lifestyles, population ageing and improved detection are among the factors contributing to the growing number of cases.

But numbers alone do not capture the full picture. Cancer remains a disease where time often determines outcomes. A delay in diagnosis or treatment can allow the disease to progress and may make care more difficult and expensive. For families already under stress, arranging money quickly can become an additional battle.

Since the launch of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana on January 8, 2026, a total of 2,68,274 beneficiaries have availed treatment under the scheme, accounting for 5,31,386 treatment cases. As of July 20, 2026, the total value of treatment provided under the scheme stands at ₹950.35 crore.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said the Bhagwant Mann Government’s focus through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana was to ensure that financial hardship does not become a barrier to cancer treatment. “Cancer is becoming one of the major public health challenges of our time. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can significantly improve outcomes. Through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, eligible patients are being provided with access to quality cancer care without worrying about treatment costs,” he said.

Minister Dr. Balbir Singh also appealed to people not to ignore warning signs such as persistent lumps, unexplained weight loss, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, or changes in bowel and bladder habits.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP from Sangrur Harmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Friday strongly condemned the unfortunate incident involving sanitation workers in Barnala and said that the Bhagwant Mann Government has acted promptly to ensure accountability.

In a statement, AAP MP Meet Hayer said that the incident was highly condemnable and deeply unfortunate. He informed that the matter was discussed in detail with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann immediately after the incident. “Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the DSP of Barnala Sub Division, Satvir Singh, has been suspended with immediate effect,” he added.

He said that the Bhagwant Mann Government has a zero-tolerance policy towards any injustice or misconduct and is committed to protecting the dignity and rights of every citizen. “The government believes in taking swift and decisive action whenever such incidents come to light and assured that justice will be ensured,” he asserted.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Friday said that the unprecedented response to the Bhagwant Mann Government’s flagship welfare schemes is proof that the people of Punjab have complete faith in the government’s commitment to delivering on its promises. Addressing a press conference, Pannu shared detailed figures of the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana and the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, highlighting the massive public participation and the benefits already reaching lakhs of families across the state.

Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said that opposition parties had repeatedly claimed that the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana would never be implemented. “Today, the numbers themselves have exposed their lies. The people of Punjab trusted the Mann Government because they knew that this government fulfils every promise it makes,” he said.

He informed that 72,56,686 women aged 18 years and above have already registered under the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana. He added that women whose registrations were completed later need not worry, as they will also receive three months’ benefits together in their bank accounts. The next phase of payments will be credited on August 1.

Sharing district-wise data, Pannu said Ludhiana has recorded the highest registrations with 7,86,863 women, followed by Patiala with 5,50,035 registrations and Amritsar with 5,39,285 registrations.

Recalling the launch of the scheme, Baltej Pannu said AAP leader Manish Sisodia had rightly remarked that the government was not merely transferring money into bank accounts but transferring trust. “The overwhelming response from women across Punjab proves that people have immense faith in the Bhagwant Mann Government,” he added.

Drawing a comparison with previous governments, Baltej Pannu said the Congress had collected forms for farm loan waivers and promised jobs before the 2017 elections, but neither the forms nor the promises ever translated into reality. “Captain Amarinder Singh even took an oath to provide jobs to every household, but the promise remained unfulfilled. In contrast, whatever the Mann Government promises, it delivers,” he said.

Highlighting the success of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, Pannu said that despite the opposition’s attempts to spread misinformation that the health cards would not be accepted anywhere, the scheme has emerged as a major success.

He said that more than 50 lakh people have already received treatment under the scheme, while the Punjab Government has spent ₹917 crore on providing cashless healthcare. The scheme provides cashless treatment worth up to ₹10 lakh and is available at both government as well as empanelled private hospitals.

Baltej Pannu further informed that more than 50 lakh Sehat Cards have already been issued across Punjab. Ludhiana tops the list with 5,36,504 cards, followed by Patiala with 4,52,030 cards and Jalandhar with 3,65,366 cards.

He also highlighted other major achievements of the Bhagwant Mann Government, stating that since AAP formed the government in 2022, 90 percent of households have been receiving zero electricity bills under the 600 units of free power scheme, farmers are getting electricity during daytime, and canal water coverage has increased from 21% to 80%.

Targeting the BJP, Baltej Pannu said Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini frequently visits Punjab to speak about the BJP government’s Lado Scheme, despite failing to fulfil its own promises. He said the BJP had promised ₹2,100 per month to every woman in Haryana before the elections, but benefits have reportedly reached only around 20 lakh women, whereas the state’s female population is nearly 80 lakh.

Responding to rumours circulated on social media, Baltej Pannu categorically rejected claims that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had stayed the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana. He clarified that the High Court has not imposed any stay on the scheme, and the government will continue implementing it as planned. “The Bhagwant Mann Government believes in governance, not announcements. The record registrations under these schemes and the benefits reaching millions of people demonstrate that Punjab’s people trust this government because it delivers on every commitment,” he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) received a major political boost when Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal)’s Mansa District Youth President, Hanish Bansal, officially joined the Aam Aadmi Party along with his supporters.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s OSD Rajbir Ghuman formally inducted Hanish Bansal into the AAP family by presenting him with the party’s siropa and extended a warm welcome to him. Hanish Bansal has been actively associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal for a long time and has served the party in several important and responsible positions.

On this occasion, Chief Minister’s OSD Rajbir Ghuman said that the Aam Aadmi Party’s policies have always been aimed at taking every section of society along. He said that the induction of a dedicated youth leader like Hanish Bansal would double the party’s strength in Mansa. He assured that Hanish Bansal would be given full respect and recognition in the party.

Speaking after joining the party, Hanish Bansal said that he decided to join the Aam Aadmi Party after being impressed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s pro-people policies and transparent governance. He said that he would work with complete honesty to take the policies of the Aam Aadmi Party to the people.