Punjab expands health cover, adds more procedures in pvt hospitals

Chandigarh: Punjab govt has expanded access to healthcare under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana by allowing medical procedures previously restricted to govt hospitals to be carried out at its 550 empanelled private hospitals. The move is aimed at improving access to specialised treatment for beneficiaries and easing the patient load on govt healthcare institutions.Health minister Dr Balbir Singh said the move will improve accessibility, particularly in districts where specialised services are scarce or govt facilities are struggling with heavy patient load. "This is expected to reduce pressure on major govt facilities, shorten waiting times, and improve access to timely care," he said.The procedures cover a wide range of medical specialties, which will help people get treated closer to home, instead of travelling long distances to overcrowded tertiary hospitals.In ear, nose and throat (ENT) care, patients can now undergo fracture setting of the nasal bone and adenoidectomy at empanelled private hospitals. These are common procedures that often require timely intervention, especially among children and accident victims.General surgery witnessed one of the largest expansions. Procedures such as hydrocele operations, incision and drainage of abscesses, appendicectomy, and both open and laparoscopic gall bladder surgeries have now been brought within the ambit of private hospitals participating in the scheme.Women's healthcare has also received considerable attention. The expanded list includes 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.These additions will help ensure more timely and accessible care for vulnerable patients. Similarly, eye care and orthopaedic services have been strengthened. Ophthalmology procedures such as pterygium excision and entropion correction can now be performed at empanelled private hospitals. Orthopaedic patients will also benefit from access to surgeries involving tendon release, treatment of small-joint injuries, and corrective operations for ankle fractures. Package rates for the newly approved procedures range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 27,800. The announcement comes alongside another noteworthy expansion of the scheme. People living alone, including senior citizens, widows and others residing independently, are now eligible for coverage.Previously, the universal health insurance programme was limited to families with at least two members. The benefit 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 must furnish birth certificates. Independent residents seeking enrolment must submit a declaration that will be verified by local elected representatives before approval.According to a report from the state health agency (SHA), nearly 65 lakh families are already covered under the scheme. At present, 824 hospitals, including govt, central govt and empanelled private institutions, are providing treatment. The scheme covers nearly 2,300 diseases and medical procedures.