Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab expands Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, adds 17 treatments in private hospitals
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 3, 2026: In a major expansion of Punjab’s flagship health insurance programme, the Bhagwant Mann-led government has approved 17 additional medical procedures at empanelled private hospitals under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) and extended the scheme’s benefits to people living alone, including senior citizens, widows and parents whose children are settled abroad.
The move is aimed at improving access to healthcare, reducing the burden on government hospitals and ensuring timely treatment for patients across the state.
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said the decision would significantly enhance healthcare accessibility, particularly in districts where specialist services are limited and government hospitals are facing heavy patient loads.
“This will help reduce pressure on major government hospitals, shorten waiting periods and enable patients to receive treatment closer to their homes,” he said.
Under the revised policy, 17 medical procedures that were previously available only at government hospitals can now be availed at empanelled private healthcare institutions under the scheme.
The newly approved procedures span multiple specialties, including ENT, general surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics and women’s healthcare.
In the ENT category, procedures such as nasal bone fracture correction and adenoidectomy have been included. General surgery services now cover hydrocele operations, incision and drainage of abscesses, appendicectomy, and both open and laparoscopic gall bladder surgeries.
Women’s healthcare services have also been expanded with the inclusion of medical termination of pregnancy beyond 12 weeks, hysterotomy, hospitalisation for antenatal complications and examination under anaesthesia for minor girls, unmarried sexually inactive women and survivors of sexual abuse.
Similarly, ophthalmology procedures such as pterygium excision and entropion correction, along with orthopaedic surgeries including tendon release, treatment of small-joint injuries and ankle fracture correction, will now be available at empanelled private hospitals. Package rates for these procedures range between ₹2,000 and ₹27,800.
In another significant reform, the government has broadened eligibility under the scheme by including individuals living alone. Earlier, the health insurance programme was restricted to families with at least two members.
Senior citizens, widows and other individuals residing independently will now be able to avail cashless treatment under the scheme. Parents whose children live abroad have also been brought under its coverage.
Applicants will be required to furnish valid Punjab Aadhaar and Voter Identity Cards, while individuals below 18 years of age must provide birth certificates. Those living alone will need to submit a self-declaration, which will be verified by local elected representatives before enrolment.
According to the State Health Agency (SHA), nearly 65 lakh families have already been covered under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. Currently, 824 hospitals, including government, central government and empanelled private institutions, are providing treatment under the programme.
Covering nearly 2,300 diseases and medical procedures, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has emerged as one of Punjab’s largest healthcare protection initiatives, extending cashless treatment facilities to millions of beneficiaries across the state.