Chandigarh (PEN News): Punjab has provided 265 cashless burn treatments worth ₹1.39 crore under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY), offering financial relief to burn patients and their families across the state.
Burn injuries often require prolonged medical care, including repeated dressings, surgical procedures, reconstruction and rehabilitation. The latest data from the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, highlights the scale of treatment being provided under the state’s cashless healthcare scheme.
265 Burn Treatments Provided Across Punjab
According to the data, men in the 31-45 age group accounted for the highest number of treatments, with 61 treatments involving expenditure of ₹31.82 lakh.
Among children, 39 boys aged 0-18 years received treatment, while 27 girls in the same age group were also treated under the scheme.
Among women, the 19-30 age group recorded the highest number with 26 treatments, followed by 21 treatments among women aged 31-45 years.
The figures indicate that children, young adults and working-age people make up a significant share of burn treatment beneficiaries.
Bathinda Records Highest Number of Beneficiaries
Among the districts covered in the data, Bathinda recorded the highest number of beneficiaries. A total of 57 people received 63 treatments, with expenditure of approximately ₹33.51 lakh.
Faridkot followed with 40 beneficiaries, while Patiala recorded 39 beneficiaries.
At the other end, Rupnagar, S.A.S. Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib reported one beneficiary each in the available data.
Post-Burn Contracture Accounts for 75 Treatments
One of the major treatment categories was post-burn contracture, which accounted for 75 treatments involving expenditure of ₹38.90 lakh.
Post-burn contracture can develop when scar tissue tightens following a burn injury, restricting movement and affecting a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Treatment may therefore be required even after the initial burn wounds have healed.
Other procedures covered under the treatment data included total body surface area burn treatment, electrical and chemical burns, antibiotic dressings, tissue expanders, skin flaps, debridement and ear and nose reconstruction.
Health Minister Balbir Singh Highlights Cashless Treatment
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said that burn injuries can have long-term physical and financial consequences for families.
He said the government’s priority is to ensure that patients can focus on recovery without facing additional financial pressure because of hospital expenses.
According to the minister, timely and comprehensive treatment is particularly important for children, young adults and working-age people, who account for a significant proportion of the beneficiaries.
Burn Treatment Can Require Long-Term Care
Medical research has also highlighted the long-term impact of burn injuries. A study involving 892 burn patients at a tertiary hospital in Punjab, published in medical literature, found that 79% of patients were between 15 and 45 years of age.
The findings underline the importance of accessible and affordable burn care, particularly for people in their working years.
Under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, cashless treatment is aimed at reducing the financial burden on patients and families while ensuring access to necessary medical procedures and post-burn care.
The Punjab government’s latest figures show that the scheme is supporting patients not only during immediate burn treatment but also in procedures required for recovery, mobility, reconstruction and rehabilitation.
