Shortness of breath is often ignored as normal fatigue. A persistent cough is considered an effect of the weather and wheezing is not taken seriously until it becomes difficult to even climb the stairs. By then, many patients have developed severe lung disease, requiring long-term hospitalization or major thoracic surgery.
Under Chief Minister Health Scheme (MMSY) Punjab The latest treatment data show that chronic lung diseases are no longer limited to the elderly. A large proportion of the hospitalized patients are from the working age group of the state, which shows that respiratory diseases are rapidly increasing the health as well as economic burden.
It is not right to delay treatment
According to America’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), chronic lung diseases develop slowly and do not go away on their own. The sooner they are detected, the more easily damage to the lungs can be prevented. Medicines and pulmonary rehabilitation provide relief. In severe cases, thoracic surgery can save life. In such a situation, delaying treatment is never the right option. Unfortunately, many patients delay treatment due to not being able to afford the treatment.
According to the data shared by the State Health Agency (SHA) Punjab under the Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana, 14,032 people availed the benefit of chronic lung diseases and thoracic surgery/respiratory treatment between January 8 and July 21, 2026. A cashless amount of ₹37.30 crore was paid on these treatments. Behind these figures is the story of thousands of patients who did not have to worry about arranging lakhs of rupees before being admitted to the hospital. This is the biggest strength of this scheme.
How many patients of which age group?
According to the data, 5,559 treated cases were recorded in the 36 to 60 years age group, while 5,659 senior citizens above 60 years of age also received treatment at the hospital. These two age groups together account for more than 80 percent of the total respiratory treatment cases treated under the scheme. An additional 2,522 young adults and 292 children also received respiratory treatment.
According to gender-based data, 8,345 men were treated at a cost of ₹22.79 crore, while 5,684 women benefited from treatment worth ₹14.50 crore. Apart from this, three beneficiaries from other gender category also availed cashless health services under the scheme.
Monthly figures show that demand for specialist respiratory services remained consistent during the reporting period. The number of treated cases increased from 1,332 in January to 2,509 in April, the highest in a six-month period. Although 2,004 cases were recorded in June, the treatment value stood at ₹6.73 crore, which was the highest. This shows that more complex and expensive respiratory treatments are also being provided under the scheme.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, these figures highlight the urgent need to make people more aware about respiratory diseases. People often ignore persistent cough or shortness of breath, considering it a temporary problem or a normal symptom of aging.
Lung diseases cause serious harm
Unfortunately, chronic lung diseases progress slowly and without obvious signs. By the time many patients seek medical help, serious damage to the lungs has already occurred. The problem of breathlessness should never be ignored. With timely treatment, lungs, life and livelihood can be saved.
The Health Minister especially appealed to smokers, workers working in industrial areas and people exposed to dust and pollution to seek medical advice immediately if symptoms persist. He also stressed on staying away from tobacco, reducing exposure to polluted environment and getting regular health checkups done for people suffering from chronic respiratory diseases.
Early diagnosis of the disease, quitting tobacco use, reducing exposure to air pollution, adopting safety measures in the workplace and receiving appropriate medical treatment on time are the most effective ways to prevent chronic lung diseases and avoid the need for major thoracic surgery.
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