Chandigarh, April 1 (IANS). The Punjab government has deployed 19,000 ASHA workers for the access to healthcare scheme.
The state government has activated the network of ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) workers to speed up the process of enrollment under ‘Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana’ (MMSY). Its objective is to strengthen the reach of health services till the last mile.
According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, more than 19,000 Asha workers and 900 assistants are now handling the registration work in villages across the state.
Asha workers are playing an important role in increasing the reach of this scheme at the grassroots level. It said each worker is assigned a population of approximately 1,000 residents, which includes approximately 250 households. Here she is contacting people door-to-door, spreading awareness about the scheme, and taking families to Seva Kendras and Common Service Centers for registration.
This approach ensures that awareness reaches households directly (especially in rural areas) and also guides families through the enrollment process, so that registration and verification is completed smoothly without any delays or confusion.
The effect of this continuous activism done at the grassroots level is already visible. The efforts of ASHA workers have resulted in nearly 10 lakh enrollments in the last 20 days alone, significantly accelerating the pace of bringing residents under the health cover across Punjab.
To maintain this momentum, the ASHA worker-led model is supported through a structured incentive system, with workers incentivized for successful enrolment, thereby ensuring accountability and consistent access across sectors.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh said, “Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has made it clear that no family in Punjab should have to suffer because they cannot afford treatment. Our Asha workers are taking this promise to people’s doorsteps, ensuring that every family is aware and can register. This is not just a scheme written on paper; it is a guarantee that we are delivering directly to the people, each and every family.”
The scope of Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana is continuously expanding across Punjab, with approximately 50,000 residents registering every day and more than 35 lakh health cards having been issued. Districts like Ludhiana, Patiala and Jalandhar continue to lead in large-scale registrations, reflecting strong participation in both urban and rural areas.
Apart from enrolment, the scheme is providing excellent results in health services. More than two lakh treatments worth Rs 300 crore have been performed so far, including more than 40,000 surgical procedures including heart disease, dialysis, orthopedics, cancer treatment and emergency interventions. An allocation of Rs 2,000 crore has been made in the 2026-27 budget of Punjab for the expansion of this scheme.
With efforts to spread awareness through camps, centers and door-to-door visits, the government continues to encourage residents to register for Sehat Card and avail cashless treatment benefits under the Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana.
–IANS
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