Chandigarh, March 14 (IANS) The subsidised surgery package programme of the Haryana government is becoming quite popular in the state with around 48,000 people benefiting from it in just seven months, officials said here Sunday.

The one-of-its-kind programme was launched in July last year in all government hospitals.

'Increasing number of people are coming to government health institutions to avail of the benefits of this package. A patient just needs to pay a one-time fixed cost after which everything is taken care of by the hospital. The cost is quite subsidised as compared to private set-up,' said Health Minister Geeta Bhukkal.

'All surgeries are free for BPL (below poverty line) card holders and residents of urban slums notified by the local and urban bodies. It covers the cost of everything right from the time surgery is advised till the time the patient is discharged,' she added.

Out of 48,000 people who availed of this service in the first seven months, 5,400 were from BPL, more than 300 patients from notified slum areas, and 6,200 expectant mothers who were treated free-of-cost.