Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): As Punjab battles an intense summer marked by soaring temperatures and a growing number of dehydration and gastroenteritis cases, the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government’s healthcare model is increasingly becoming a support system for thousands of struggling families across the state.
The impact of the heatwave is now visible not only in farmlands and city streets but also in hospital emergency wards, where patients suffering from vomiting, stomach infections, weakness and dehydration are arriving in large numbers. In this difficult period, the state government’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has emerged as a crucial shield for economically vulnerable households by ensuring free cashless treatment.
According to official treatment records, nearly 3,279 patients received cashless medical care between January and April this year for gastro and abdominal illnesses linked to dehydration and extreme heat. The government spent more than ₹73 lakh on these treatments alone, helping families avoid the burden of expensive hospital bills during the ongoing health crisis.
Data from hospitals across Punjab indicates that cases of acute gastroenteritis accompanied by dehydration have witnessed a sharp increase during April. More than 1,400 patients reportedly availed treatment under the health scheme for dehydration-related gastrointestinal illnesses in the month alone. Among them, over 1,050 patients were treated for moderate dehydration caused by gastroenteritis, while several others required urgent medical intervention for severe vomiting, weakness and fluid loss.
Medical experts say the scorching weather has significantly increased the risk of stomach infections. Dr. Shashi Kant Dhir explained that extreme heat leads to rapid food spoilage and increases the possibility of contamination through water and unhygienic food handling. He noted that patients commonly report symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness and fever, while delayed treatment in severe cases can trigger complications including kidney issues and dangerously low blood pressure.
Senior citizens appear to have been the worst affected during the ongoing summer spell. Treatment figures reveal that more than 1,290 elderly patients were treated under the scheme during April, compared to around 120 children. Districts including Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Patiala, Ludhiana and Sangrur reported a significant rise in admissions related to dehydration and stomach infections.
Healthcare professionals believe one of the biggest advantages of the scheme has been encouraging families to seek treatment at an early stage instead of postponing hospital visits due to financial concerns. Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries are receiving medicines, hydration therapy, IV fluids and hospital care free of cost at government as well as empanelled private hospitals.
The response to the health emergency is also being viewed as part of the Punjab government’s broader push to strengthen public welfare and ensure that healthcare remains accessible to ordinary citizens. Over the past few years, the Mann government has repeatedly focused on expanding social protection measures, particularly for low-income families, while positioning healthcare access as a key governance priority.
Doctors have meanwhile advised residents to remain cautious during the ongoing heatwave by staying hydrated, avoiding direct exposure to extreme heat and consuming freshly prepared food. Parents, in particular, have been urged to monitor children for symptoms of dehydration and seek medical attention immediately in case of fever, vomiting or unusual weakness.
With temperatures continuing to rise across the state, the cashless treatment support being extended under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is increasingly being seen as a major relief for Punjabi families already struggling with the financial strain caused by seasonal illnesses.
