CHANDIGARH: Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) has covered 12,467 treatments for severe sepsis and septic shock at a cost of Rs 51.58 crore till September 1, highlighting the growing medical and financial burden of the life-threatening condition.According to data released by the Punjab health department, 10,961 treatments for severe sepsis accounted for Rs 44.33 crore, while 1,506 septic-shock treatments involved expenditure of Rs 7.25 crore. Health and family welfare minister Balbir Singh said timely recognition was critical as sepsis could rapidly progress to organ failure and septic shock.Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to an infection becomes dysregulated, potentially causing tissue damage, organ failure and death. Almost any infection can lead to sepsis, with infections affecting the lungs, urinary tract, skin and gastrointestinal tract among common sources.“When sepsis leads to serious circulatory problems and inadequate blood flow to vital organs, the patient may progress to septic shock,” Singh said.Patients with septic shock may require intensive care, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, medicines to maintain blood pressure, oxygen or mechanical ventilation and other organ-support measures. The cost of such treatment can rise rapidly, making financial coverage crucial for families.Under the MMSY, eligible families receive cashless health coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh annually. The government said the scheme is intended to ensure that financial constraints do not delay access to critical treatment.Doctors also flagged the particular vulnerability of newborns to sepsis. Dr Shashi Kant Dhir, professor and head of the department of paediatrics at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, said even subtle changes in a newborn’s behaviour could indicate serious illness.Premature and low-birth-weight babies can deteriorate rapidly, he said. Poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, feeling cold and changes in breathing should prompt immediate medical assessment.Antibiotics are essential when bacterial infections are suspected or confirmed, but their inappropriate use can contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Doctors advise against self-medication, using leftover antibiotics or stopping prescribed treatment without medical advice.
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Warning signs of sepsis in adults can include confusion, breathing difficulty, extreme pain or discomfort, fever or unusually low body temperature, clammy skin and a rapid heart rate.The health department said the treatment figures reinforce the need for both early recognition of sepsis and adequate financial protection when patients require intensive care.
