Health insurance for all 65 lakh families in Punjab: Harpal Cheema

The Punjab government has decided to extend health insurance to all 65 lakh families in the state, in the coming year, said Finance Minister Harpal Cheema while addressing the budget session of the ongoing Vidhan Sabha here on WEdnesday.

The government has also decided to double the insurance amount for the existing schemes of the state and the central governments from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh annually.

Cheema said as per the existing official figures, 45 lakh families are enrolled in government health insurance schemes. Of this, 16 lakh families are covered under the Cente’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The remaining 29 lakh families are covered under the state government’s Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana.

Giving details of a 10 per cent increase in the budget for health services, the Finance Minister said an allocation of Rs 5,598 crore has been provided for the health budget in the financial year 2025-26.

Talking about the existing services, Cheema said more than 70,000 people are currently availing the facility of free treatment at Aam Aadmi Clinics. Those covered under the Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana will be given a ‘Sehat Card’ next year, allowing them cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh in government and private hospitals across Punjab, he said.

A provision of Rs 10 crore has been made for immediate relief to accident victims under the Farishtey scheme.