*Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna Provides ₹4.15 Crore Cashless Stroke Treatment to 914 Patients in 6 Months*

*No Family Should Delay Stroke Treatment Due to Financial Worries; Every Minute Can Save Life: Dr. Balbir Singh*

*Early Diagnosis, Advanced Imaging and Timely Intervention Can Transform Stroke Recovery: Dr. Harman Sobti, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon & Spine Surgeon, Mohandai Oswal Hospital, Ludhiana*

CHANDIGARH, July 15:A stroke does not knock before entering a family’s life. One moment a person is walking, talking and working; the next moment, a blocked artery or a burst blood vessel can turn a normal day into a medical emergency. Data on stroke treatments under Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna shows how the state’s health scheme is supporting patients facing complex brain emergencies, from basic stroke management to advanced imaging, intensive care and prolonged treatment.

A stroke, often called a “brain attack”, happens when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel bursts. Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and unhealthy lifestyle habits remain among the major risk factors.

According to the World Health Organization, stroke continues to be one of the world’s leading causes of death and disability, with a significant share linked to preventable risk factors. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also stresses that early treatment can improve recovery while better control of blood pressure, diabetes and lifestyle-related risks can reduce the likelihood of stroke.

Stroke treatment can be costly, creating a major financial burden for many families. As per recent data from the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, in the last six months, 914 stroke cases worth ₹4.15 crore were treated under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. Acute ischemic stroke had the highest number of cases (48) and the highest treatment cost at ₹14.27 lakh.

SHA records show that the categories ‘Acute Stroke’ and ‘Acute Ischemic Stroke’ accounted for most treated cases, whereas Hemorrhagic stroke had fewer cases but higher per-case cost. A large part of the spend was driven by cases with CT/MRI and add-ons like tracheostomy and transfusions.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said that strengthening healthcare access means ensuring that no family delays treatment because of financial fear. “Healthcare schemes like Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna aim to ensure that patients receive timely treatment when they need it the most. In emergencies like stroke, every minute matters, and financial support can make the difference between delay and lifesaving care.”

Dr. Harman Sobti, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon & Spine Surgeon, Sobti Neuro Super Speciality Hospital, and Mohandai Oswal Hospital, Ludhiana, explains, “Stroke is a medical emergency where early diagnosis and treatment can decide the patient’s future. Advanced imaging, intensive monitoring and timely intervention have changed outcomes.” He added that awareness remains equally important. “People must recognise warning signs like sudden weakness, facial drooping, speech difficulty and immediately seek medical help,” Dr Sobti said.

According to Dr. Harman Sobti, ischemic stroke accounts for the largest share of treated cases, and advanced diagnostic tools like CT scans and MRI have become essential for effective stroke management. He added, “Complex stroke cases can place significant financial pressure on families, making Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna an important safety net during medical emergencies.” Nevertheless, prevention, the doctor says, remains the strongest defence, with better control of blood pressure, diabetes management and healthier lifestyle choices playing a key role in reducing stroke risk.

What Stroke Data Reveals:

* Stroke is becoming a major healthcare challenge requiring emergency response.

* Ischemic stroke remains the largest share of treated cases.

* Advanced diagnosis through CT and MRI is becoming central to stroke management.

* Complex strokes can create heavy financial pressure on families.

* Health schemes can act as a safety net during unexpected medical crises.

* Prevention through blood pressure control, diabetes management and lifestyle changes remains the strongest defence.

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*PUNJAB GOVERNMENT'S MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT: 134 CHILDREN SECURE LEGALLY PROTECTED, LOVING FAMILIES DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS*

*Punjab becomes the first state in the country to establish a Specialized Adoption Agency (SAA) in every district: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*A total of 134 children, including 87 orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children, provided with legally secure family environments over the last three years*

*State-Level Training Programme on Adoption Regulations, 2022 organised for all stakeholders to make the adoption system more transparent and child-centric*

Chandigarh, July 15:In a major step towards making child protection and the legal adoption process more efficient, transparent and robust, the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), Punjab, under the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Government of Punjab, today organised a one-day State-Level Training Programme on the Adoption Regulations, 2022 under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Addressing the media after inaugurating the training programme, Punjab Cabinet Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur, said that the Punjab Government is fully committed to ensuring that no child in the State is deprived of the love, care and security of a family. She said the Government is strengthening a transparent, child-centric and legally compliant adoption system that safeguards the rights and best interests of every child.

Sharing a significant achievement, the Cabinet Minister said Punjab has become the first state in the country to establish a Specialized Adoption Agency (SAA) in every district. At present, 26 Specialized Adoption Agencies are functioning across the State, including 16 Government-run and 10 NGO-managed agencies.

Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that during the last three years, 87 orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children have been placed in legally recognised adoptive families. Of these, 66 children were adopted within India, including 18 boys and 48 girls, while 21 children were adopted through inter-country adoption, including 5 boys and 16 girls. During the same period, 10 children with special needs were also placed in loving and caring families.

In addition, 47 children were legally adopted by relatives and step-parents, taking the total number of children who found permanent, legally protected family environments over the last three years to 134. The Minister said these figures reflect the Punjab Government's unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child in need grows up in a safe, nurturing and caring family environment.

The Cabinet Minister emphasised that effective coordination among District Magistrates/Deputy Commissioners, Chief Medical Officers, Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) and Specialized Adoption Agencies is essential for the timely rehabilitation of children in need of care and protection and for ensuring that the entire adoption process remains transparent, efficient and legally compliant.

The training programme witnessed participation from representatives of Deputy Commissioners, Civil Surgeons/Chief Medical Officers, Child Welfare Committees, District Child Protection Units, Specialized Adoption Agencies and other key stakeholders from all districts of the State.

During the technical sessions, Mr. Sayam Bin Khalid, representative of the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), provided detailed insights into the key provisions of the Adoption Regulations, 2022, use of the CARINGS portal, documentation requirements, timelines and the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders.

Prof. (Dr.) Bhavneet Bharti, Head of the Department of Paediatrics, PGIMER, Chandigarh, also delivered a detailed session on medical examination of children, health assessment, identification of children with special needs and the importance of maintaining comprehensive medical records.

The participants also deliberated on the challenges faced during the adoption process, possible solutions and measures to strengthen inter-departmental coordination so that all stakeholders remain fully updated with the latest legal provisions and procedural guidelines governing adoption.

Director, Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Sheena Aggarwal, Special Secretary Mr. Keshav Hingonia, and other senior officers of the Department were prominently present on the occasion.

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Punjab Government’s Step To Cap Private School Fee Hike at 5%; Major Relief for Lakhs of Parents: Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri

Chandigarh/Hoshiarpur/Garhshankar, July 15:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker S. Jai Krishan Singh Rouri said that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, considers education to be the right of every child rather than a business by schools. In the same line, the government has imposed strict restrictions on arbitrary fee hikes by private schools. From now on, no private school in the state will be allowed to increase its fees by more than 5% without following the prescribed rules.

The Deputy Speaker stated that "The Punjab Regulation of Fee of Un-aided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026" has received the Governor's approval. With the implementation of this ordinance, lakhs of parents across the state will receive significant relief and arbitrary fee increases by private schools will be effectively curbed.

Mr. Rouri said that for many years, parents had been under financial pressure due to the continuous rise in private school fees. The arbitrary annual fee hikes had made it increasingly difficult for ordinary and middle-class families to bear the cost of their children's education. Recognizing this genuine concern, the Punjab Government has taken this historic decision.

He further said that the new law will strengthen transparency and accountability in the education sector. Schools will no longer be able to raise fees at their own discretion, and every decision regarding fee revisions will have to comply with the prescribed regulations. This will protect the rights of parents and prevent unnecessary financial burdens on children's education.

He added that the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is giving the highest priority to education, healthcare, and public welfare. The government's objective is to ensure quality education for children from every section of society and to eliminate all forms of arbitrariness in the education sector.

The Deputy Speaker said that since assuming office, the government has introduced several landmark reforms in the education sector. The infrastructure of government schools has been strengthened, Schools of Eminence have been established, and now, by bringing private school fees under a regulatory framework, relief has been provided to lakhs of families.

He said that the Punjab Government remains committed to fulfilling every promise made to the people and will continue to take similar decisions in the public interest in the future. He added that this ordinance will prove to be a milestone in the field of education and will safeguard the interests of lakhs of students and parents across the state.