The Punjab government has announced an expansion of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) to include 17 additional medical procedures at empanelled private hospitals. This initiative, revealed on June 3, aims to reduce the burden on government healthcare facilities and enhance access to specialized medical services throughout Punjab. Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh emphasized that the expansion will particularly benefit districts with limited specialized services, helping to alleviate patient loads in government hospitals. The newly approved procedures cover various specialties, including ENT surgeries, general surgeries like hydrocele and appendicectomy, women's healthcare services, and orthopaedic treatments. Additionally, the scheme's eligibility criteria have been broadened to include individuals living alone, such as senior citizens and those whose children have settled abroad. Currently, approximately 65 lakh families are enrolled in the MMSY, which now covers around 2,300 diseases and procedures.