A painful road accident left Mohd Julfukar, a barber in Mohali, fearing he would lose his livelihood. Unable to afford surgery for a serious knee injury, he worried about his family’s future. Through Bhagwant Mann Govt's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY), he received free treatment and is now looking forward to returning to the work he loves.
Every morning, before most people begin their day, Mohd Julfukar opens his small barber shop and gets ready to welcome his customers. For years, he has been more than just a barber. He is someone people trust, chat with, and return to time and again. But not long ago, Julfukar was facing one of the toughest times of his life.
He was riding his motorcycle when a cow suddenly crossed the road. As he swerved to avoid hitting the animal, he lost control and crashed. One of his legs became trapped beneath the motorcycle, and with the engine still running, he was dragged several metres along the road. While one knee suffered only minor abrasions, the other sustained a serious injury that made even walking painful.
His work involved standing for long hours every day. After the accident, standing through a single haircut became a struggle, and Julfukar began to fear he would no longer be able to earn a living.
“I was in pain every day,” he recalled. “I kept thinking, ‘If I cannot stand, how will I work? And if I cannot work, how will I look after my family?’”
The thought of surgery worried him even more. The treatment was expensive, and paying for it seemed impossible. Like many working families, he feared he would have to borrow money or postpone treatment indefinitely.
“I was very worried,” he said. “The pain was bad enough, but the cost of the operation frightened me even more. I did not know where the money would come from.”
Relief came through Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. Julfukar underwent an Anterior Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair/Meniscectomy at District Hospital, Mohali (S.A.S. Nagar). The treatment, costing ₹53,455, was fully covered under the scheme, allowing him to receive the care he needed without worrying about the bill.
“When I learnt that my treatment would be covered, I felt a huge burden had been lifted,” he said. “For the first time in months, I felt hopeful.”
After the surgery, Julfukar is steadily recovering and hopes to return to his barber shop soon, serving customers with the same smile and dedication they have always known.
“It feels wonderful that I will be back at work,” he said. “Cutting hair is not just my job; it is how I support my family and meet people every day. I am thankful that I got this chance.”
For Julfukar, the operation was about much more than treating an injured knee. It restored his confidence, protected his family’s livelihood, and gave him the opportunity to rebuild his life after an accident that could have ended his career. Today, every customer who walks into his shop is a reminder that timely healthcare can make all the difference.
According to data from the State Health Agency, Punjab, 190 orthopaedic procedures worth ₹53.38 lakh were performed under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana during the reporting period. Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF), a procedure used to stabilise broken bones with plates, screws, or rods, accounted for 79 surgeries, representing 41.6 per cent of all orthopaedic procedures carried out under the scheme. These fracture fixation surgeries alone accounted for treatment worth ₹16.75 lakh, nearly 31.4 per cent of the total expenditure on orthopaedic procedures, with an average package value of ₹21,209 per patient.
With fracture-related surgeries emerging as the single largest category of orthopaedic procedures under Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh has appealed to people to follow road safety rules, adopt safe practices at workplaces and during sports, and take precautions to prevent falls among the elderly.
The Minister said, "While advanced surgical care is now available free of cost to eligible beneficiaries under the scheme, many serious injuries can be prevented through greater public awareness and adherence to safety measures." He urged motorists to wear helmets and seat belts, workers to use protective equipment, sportspersons to follow safety protocols, and senior citizens and their caregivers to reduce the risk of falls at home.
