In a deeply moving story from Patiala, a family battling a life-threatening illness found hope through a government initiative. Five months ago, Gurpinder Jeet Singh’s life turned upside down when his 65-year-old mother, Baljeet Kaur, began losing her appetite and growing weaker by the day. What initially seemed like a routine health issue soon escalated into a devastating diagnosis—uterine cancer.
The family first sought treatment from private doctors and later at Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, but her condition kept deteriorating. When the reports confirmed cancer, it felt like everything had collapsed. Determined to save his mother, Gurpinder took her to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital, where treatment began immediately. However, the cost of just the first round of treatment—around ₹60,000 to ₹65,000—was overwhelming for him, given his modest income as a driver.
With no clear way forward and the thought of taking a loan looming large, a turning point came when someone at the hospital informed him about the Chief Minister’s Health Scheme. Acting quickly, Gurpinder registered for the scheme, and within a short time, a smart card was issued.
What followed brought immense relief. The scheme covered nearly the entire treatment cost, including expensive diagnostic tests, chemotherapy sessions, medicines, surgery, ICU care, ventilator support, and even hospital stay and food. Doctors later performed an extensive eight-hour surgery to remove the tumor, which had reduced significantly after treatment. Despite enduring a difficult recovery with dozens of stitches and time in intensive care, Baljeet Kaur’s condition steadily improved.
According to the hospital, the total cost of treatment exceeded ₹8 lakh—an amount that would have been nearly impossible for the family to afford. Apart from a few medicines purchased externally, the entire treatment was provided free under the scheme.
Today, while follow-up visits continue at Mullanpur, the family has regained hope. For Gurpinder, what once seemed like an impossible battle turned into a story of survival—thanks to timely awareness and access to the right support system.
