Over 1 Crore Screened, 24 Lakh Linked to Treatment as Bhagwant Mann Government Expands Statewide Hypertension Care Network
CHANDIGARH, May 17: Marking World Hypertension Day, the Punjab Government has intensified its statewide campaign against hypertension through prevention, early detection, free screening and cashless treatment under initiatives such as the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY), CM di Yogshala and Aam Aadmi Clinics.
Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said more than one crore people aged 30 years and above have already been screened for hypertension across Punjab, while nearly 24 lakh patients have been linked to treatment through the state’s healthcare network.
“Regular screening is being conducted at all health facilities, including 990 Aam Aadmi Clinics, where people aged 30 years and above are being screened for hypertension and connected with timely treatment,” said Dr Balbir Singh. He added that patients are receiving monthly follow-ups, free medicines and referral support through Punjab’s strengthened rural and urban healthcare system.
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is often referred to by doctors as the “silent killer” because it frequently shows no symptoms before causing severe complications such as stroke, heart failure and kidney disease. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), India is witnessing a rapidly rising burden of hypertension due to unhealthy diets, stress, tobacco use, physical inactivity and irregular lifestyles.
To tackle the growing health challenge, the Punjab Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy focused on prevention and affordable treatment. While CM di Yogshala is promoting yoga, stress management and healthier living habits, the Aam Aadmi Clinics are ensuring early diagnosis and regular monitoring. Simultaneously, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is providing cashless treatment for patients suffering from hypertension-related complications.
Officials said hospital admissions related to strokes, cardiac emergencies and kidney ailments caused by uncontrolled blood pressure are covered under the MMSY scheme, reducing financial pressure on affected families and encouraging timely medical intervention.
State Health Agency (SHA) data reveals that hypertension continues to heavily affect middle-aged and elderly populations across Punjab. Gurdaspur recorded patients up to 94 years of age, while S.A.S Nagar reported cases as old as 98 years, highlighting the disease’s widespread impact among senior citizens.
Districts including Patiala, S.A.S Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Faridkot reported some of the highest case loads across both genders. In Amritsar and Ludhiana, hospital data indicated a significant concentration of women patients between 50 and 77 years of age.
Dr Saurabh Sharma, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology at Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, said hypertension is no longer restricted to old age.
“Modern lifestyles bring a different set of health challenges across all age groups. While most cases are seen among people aged 40 to 90 and above, we are also witnessing hypertension among teenagers and people in their twenties and thirties,” he said.
Dr Sharma attributed the rise to stress, poor dietary habits, lack of exercise and irregular daily routines. He warned that complications such as stroke, heart failure and kidney disease are now appearing earlier than before.
He further emphasised that schemes like the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana are critical in ensuring that patients do not delay treatment due to financial concerns. “In hypertensive emergency, delay is often the difference between recovery and tragedy,” he said.
Health officials noted that the significance of the scheme lies not only in treatment but also in timely intervention. Earlier, many families delayed hospitalisation because of financial burden, often leading to dangerous or fatal outcomes. Under the Sehat Yojana, patients are increasingly seeking medical care at earlier stages, significantly improving recovery prospects and reducing catastrophic healthcare expenditure for middle-class households, pensioners and government employees.