Gurpreet Singh :- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday outlined an ambitious expansion of the state’s healthcare infrastructure, announcing new medical colleges, a significant increase in Aam Aadmi Clinics, and a broader rollout of free treatment benefits for residents.
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, the Chief Minister said that the tendering process for upcoming medical colleges in Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala has been completed, with construction work set to begin shortly. He also confirmed that land acquisition for a new community medical facility in Malerkotla is in its final stages, with a formal announcement expected soon.
In a key highlight, Mann stated that Malerkotla will receive a medical college as a special initiative, coinciding with the upcoming festive period. He further noted that the state government is working to increase both undergraduate and postgraduate MBBS seats, aiming to strengthen medical education capacity across Punjab.
The Chief Minister emphasized that healthcare accessibility remains a top priority, with the state already operating hundreds of Aam Aadmi Clinics. He announced that 100 new clinics will be inaugurated on March 28, while work is underway on an additional 400 facilities, taking the total network to around 1,400 clinics in the near future.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to affordable healthcare, Mann said that free medicines are being provided at all government hospitals. He added that local authorities have been empowered with funds to ensure uninterrupted supply, warning that any negligence in this regard would invite strict action.
Under the state’s flagship health scheme, families are entitled to cashless treatment worth up to ₹10 lakh annually. According to official data, over 2.5 million families have already enrolled in the programme, with more than 160,000 patients having availed treatment benefits so far. The scheme has been allocated a budget of ₹2,000 crore.
Highlighting the impact of the clinic network, the Chief Minister said that patient footfall has crossed 50 million, with a large number of cases related to specialised treatments. He added that public response has been overwhelmingly positive, with a high satisfaction rate reported among beneficiaries.
The announcement underscores Punjab’s continued push to strengthen its public healthcare system, with a focus on accessibility, affordability, and infrastructure development across both urban and rural areas.
