–Treatment in private hospitals, including cashless treatment for individuals living alone
– Individuals living alone, senior citizens and parents of children living abroad can also now avail the benefits of ‘Chief Minister Health Scheme’: Dr. Balbir Singh
Chandigarh, June 3:
In a major step toward improving public healthcare access and reducing the growing burden on government hospitals, the Bhagwant Mann government has approved 17 more medical procedures at private hospitals listed under the “Chief Minister’s Health Scheme.” The scheme’s scope has also been expanded to include individuals living alone. This decision is considered a significant step toward expanding the state’s health insurance scheme.
For countless families in Punjab, a trip to the hospital is often associated with long queues, crowded wards, and long waits for treatment. To ease this burden, the state government has broadened access to healthcare by allowing 17 medical procedures previously limited to government hospitals to be performed at listed private hospitals.
This decision has further shortened the list of procedures reserved for government hospitals and will now provide beneficiaries with the opportunity to access treatment from a much larger healthcare network. Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said this will improve healthcare access, especially in districts where specialized medical services are limited or where patients rely heavily on government hospitals. He said, “This will reduce pressure on large government hospitals, reduce waiting times, and ensure timely treatment for patients.”
The newly approved procedures cover various medical specialties, allowing people to receive treatment closer to their homes rather than facing the hassle of overcrowded large hospitals.
Under Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) treatment, operations such as nasal fracture setting and adenoidectomy can now be performed at empaneled private hospitals. These are common procedures that require timely treatment, especially for children and accident victims.
The biggest expansion has been made in the field of general surgery. Hydrocele operations, abscess treatment, appendix surgery, and both open and laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries will now be available in private hospitals listed under the scheme. This will reduce patient waiting times and provide the benefit of treatment closer to home.
Women’s health services have also been given special priority. The expanded list includes abortion procedures beyond 12 weeks, hysterotomy, hospitalization for pregnancy-related complications, and anesthesia examinations for minor girls, unmarried sexually inactive women, and victims of sexual abuse.
The inclusion of these services will provide easier and timely treatment to the needy and vulnerable. Similarly, ophthalmology and orthopedic services have been strengthened. Ophthalmological procedures such as pterygium excision and entropion correction can now be performed in private hospitals. Orthopedic patients will benefit from surgeries such as tendon release, treatment of small joint injuries, and ankle fracture operations. Package rates for these new procedures range from ₹2,000 to ₹27,800.
This announcement marks another significant expansion of the scheme’s scope. Individuals living alone, including senior citizens, widows, and other individuals living independently, will now be able to benefit from the scheme.
This universal health insurance program was previously limited to families with two or more members. Now, it will also benefit parents whose children live abroad. A Punjab Aadhaar card and voter ID card are mandatory for application, while applicants under 18 will need to provide a birth certificate. Single individuals will need to submit a declaration to enroll, which will be verified by local elected representatives.
According to the state health agency, approximately 6.5 million families are currently covered under the scheme. Currently, 824 hospitals, including government, central government, and listed private hospitals, provide treatment under the scheme. Covering approximately 2,300 diseases and medical procedures and constantly evolving, the Chief Minister’s Health Scheme has become a vital health security shield for the people of Punjab, bringing cashless treatment to more people than ever before.
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