Punjab Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh announced a significant increase in the state’s health sector allocation to ₹6,879 crore in the latest budget, reflecting the government’s priority on strengthening public healthcare infrastructure, expanding digital health initiatives, and improving access to quality care in rural and urban areas. The enhanced funding supports new hospitals, medical college upgrades, workforce recruitment, NCD screening, and deeper integration of AI and telemedicine across the state.
Glimpse:
Speaking at a post-budget press conference on March 2026, Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted that the ₹6,879 crore allocation marks one of the highest ever health outlays for Punjab. Key focus areas include upgradation of district and sub-divisional hospitals, addition of ICU beds, recruitment of doctors and paramedics, expansion of Ayushman Bharat coverage, launch of AI tools in diagnostics, and establishment of new public health training centres. The budget also earmarks funds for maternal/child health, TB elimination, mental health services, and digital health under the Punjab Digital Health Mission.
Punjab Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh today revealed that the state government has allocated ₹6,879 crore to the health sector in the current financial year one of the largest-ever budget outlays for healthcare in Punjab’s history. The announcement, made during a detailed post-budget briefing on March 2026, underscores the government’s continued emphasis on accessible, high quality, and technology enabled public healthcare for all residents.
The increased allocation will support a wide range of transformative initiatives:
- Upgradation and expansion of district hospitals, sub divisional hospitals, and community health centres including new ICU beds, modular operation theatres, advanced diagnostic equipment, and blood banks
- Recruitment of additional doctors, specialists, nurses, and paramedical staff to address long-standing vacancies
- Strengthening of Ayushman Bharat and state insurance schemes to cover more families and high-cost procedures
- Launch of AI-powered tools in government hospitals for faster radiology reporting, early disease detection (TB, diabetic retinopathy), and predictive analytics
- Expansion of telemedicine and e-Sanjeevani services to remote and border districts
- Establishment of a new Punjab Public Health Institute for training, research, and policy support
- Enhanced funding for maternal & child health, non-communicable diseases (NCD) screening, TB elimination, mental health programmes, and drug de-addiction centres
Dr. Balbir Singh emphasised the government’s dual focus on infrastructure and innovation: “This budget reflects our unwavering commitment to ‘Health for All’. We are not just increasing funds we are building a modern, digitally empowered healthcare system that reaches every village and town. AI and telemedicine will play a key role in reducing diagnostic delays and bringing specialist care to underserved areas.”
The minister also highlighted progress under Ayushman Bharat, noting that Punjab has achieved high ABHA creation rates and cashless treatment coverage for millions of families. The new allocation will further expand hospital empanelment, reduce out of pocket expenses, and improve outcomes for critical illnesses.
The announcement has been welcomed by medical professionals, public health experts, and patient advocacy groups, who view the budget as a strong signal of the state’s intent to rebuild and modernise its public health infrastructure after years of challenges.
“A healthy Punjab is the foundation of a prosperous Punjab. With ₹6,879 crore for health, we are investing in hospitals, doctors, technology, and prevention so every citizen can access quality care without fear or distance.”
By
HB Team
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