Punjab expands 'Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana', allows coverage of 17 more procedures at private hospitals

The Punjab government has expanded the scope of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY), allowing 17 additional medical procedures to be carried out at empanelled private hospitals and extending eligibility to people living alone.

The newly approved procedures, which were previously restricted to government hospitals, cover specialties including ear, nose and throat (ENT), general surgery, gynaecology, ophthalmology and orthopaedics.

Punjab health minister Balbir Singh said, “This is expected to reduce pressure on major government facilities, shorten waiting times, and improve access to timely care."

Among the procedures now available at empanelled private hospitals are fracture setting of the nasal bone and adenoidectomy under ENT care; hydrocele operations, appendicectomy, incision and drainage of abscesses, and open and laparoscopic gall bladder surgeries under general surgery; and several gynaecological procedures, including medical termination of pregnancy beyond 12 weeks and treatment related to antenatal complications.

The expanded list also includes ophthalmology procedures such as pterygium excision and entropion correction, as well as orthopaedic surgeries involving tendon release, small-joint injuries and ankle fractures. According to the government, package rates for the newly approved procedures range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 27,800.

The government has also widened eligibility under the scheme to include individuals living alone, including senior citizens, widows and others residing independently. Previously, the scheme was available only to families with at least two members.

Eligibility has also been extended to parents whose children are settled abroad. Applicants will be required to provide valid Punjab Aadhaar and voter identity cards, while those below 18 years of age must submit birth certificates. Individuals living alone will have to furnish a declaration that will be verified by local elected representatives before approval.

According to the State Health Agency, around 65 lakh families are currently covered under the scheme. A total of 824 hospitals, including government, central government and empanelled private institutions, are providing treatment under MMSY.

The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana currently covers around 2,300 diseases and medical procedures across the state.