Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday directed the Health Department to intensify its outreach and undertake a massive awareness campaign so that more people across the state can avail the benefits of the government’s two flagship healthcare initiatives, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna (MMSY) and Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs). The Chief Minister emphasised the need for sustained public awareness to ensure that the benefits of these welfare-oriented healthcare initiatives reach every eligible beneficiary.
Chairing a meeting to review the implementation and progress of both schemes, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that 1,090 Aam Aadmi Clinics, including 603 in rural areas and 487 in urban areas, are providing quality healthcare facilities to people across Punjab. These clinics have so far recorded 6.11 crore OPDs, with 1.91 crore unique patients having visited them for the first time to avail free treatment. He added that around 93,000 patients visit Aam Aadmi Clinics every day, with an average of 86 OPDs per clinic daily.”
The Chief Minister stated that the data generated through Aam Aadmi Clinics is also proving valuable in understanding the disease patterns prevalent in different districts of the state. He said 53.7% of the patients visiting these clinics are female, while 46.3% are male, providing the government with important insights for planning and strengthening healthcare interventions. “107 medicines are being provided free of cost at Aam Aadmi Clinics, providing significant relief to the common people,” he added.
Reviewing the progress of Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the Chief Minister said that more than 50 lakh households covering 1.25 crore beneficiaries have so far been brought under the ambit of the scheme. “More than 5.90 lakh beneficiaries have already availed free treatment under the scheme at 892 empanelled hospitals, including 223 government and 669 private hospitals,” he noted.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that 68% of the beneficiaries under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna belong to rural areas, while the remaining 32% are from urban areas. “It is heartening that an increasing number of private hospitals are applying for empanelment under the scheme, reflecting their willingness to become partners in providing quality healthcare services to the people of Punjab,” he pointed out.
Batting for a sustained and extensive awareness campaign for both schemes, he said that greater awareness is essential to ensure that maximum eligible people come forward and avail the benefits available to them. “The results of both schemes are very encouraging, but the need of the hour is to ensure that more and more beneficiaries are registered and take benefit of these welfare schemes,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he would himself embark on a major campaign involving direct interaction with all stakeholders associated with the schemes. “Such direct engagement would help further strengthen implementation, address any issues being faced by beneficiaries and stakeholders, and ensure that both flagship healthcare initiatives achieve greater success,” he added.
Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Ravi Bhagat, Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul and other senior officers were also present at the meeting.
