Punjab govt providing cashless treatment to eligible families: Govt

Chandigarh, Jul 11 (PTI) The Punjab government said on Saturday that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) is providing cashless treatment to eligible families for monsoon-related illnesses -- including dengue, malaria, acute fever, viral hepatitis and gastroenteritis -- as cases begin to rise during the rainy season. Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh said the government has strengthened disease surveillance, hospital preparedness and diagnostic facilities to tackle the seasonal increase in mosquito-borne and water-borne diseases. He urged people to prevent mosquito breeding by removing stagnant water, using mosquito repellents, wearing full-sleeve clothes and seeking medical attention at the earliest sign of fever. "Eligible beneficiaries under the MMSY can receive timely cashless treatment without worrying about hospital expenses," the minister said. The statement quoted Amritsar resident Balwinder Kaur, 32, who said she recently received treatment worth Rs 8,400 under the scheme after being admitted with a high fever. She said hospital staff helped her register under the scheme and the financial support enabled her to focus on recovery without worrying about medical bills. Senior Medical Officer Dr Raj Kumar, posted at the Community Health Centre in Verka, said people often mistake serious illnesses such as dengue for a routine viral infection and delay treatment. "The first 48 hours are extremely important. A simple blood test and early treatment can prevent serious complications," he said. He said dengue is not the only concern during the monsoon, adding that malaria, enteric fever, viral hepatitis and acute gastroenteritis are also common during the season. According to the State Health Agency, acute febrile illness was among the most commonly treated conditions under the MMSY as of July 6. It stated that patients received treatment at community health centres, sub-divisional hospitals, district hospitals, and empanelled private hospitals. Treatment packages for fever-related illnesses ranged from Rs 2,100 to Rs 8,400 depending on the patient's condition, it said. The agency also recorded cases of malaria, acute gastroenteritis, enteric fever and viral hepatitis, indicating the onset of the monsoon disease season. Fever-related claims were reported from districts including Fazilka, Moga, Sangrur, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur, suggesting that patients were receiving treatment at healthcare facilities closer to their homes. The government said the scheme also covers costly procedures such as dialysis, cardiac treatment, intensive care, and treatment for seasonal illnesses. Doctors advised people not to ignore fever lasting more than two days, especially if accompanied by severe body ache, persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, bleeding, breathing difficulty or unusual weakness. PTI VSD ASD ASD