For thousands of elderly Punjabis whose children have settled abroad, a medical emergency often brings a second concern alongside illness: arranging treatment without immediate family support. To provide relief to this growing section of the population, the state government has extended the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) to individuals living alone, offering an important healthcare safety net.The move comes against the backdrop of Punjab’s long-standing migration trend, particularly in districts such as Jalandhar, where many senior citizens live by themselves while their children work or study overseas. Health experts say these residents are among the most vulnerable when faced with hospitalisation, surgery or long-term medical treatment.Until now, MMSY was largely structured around family-based enrolment, leaving many single-member households outside its ambit. Under the revised guidelines, senior citizens, widows, widowers and other individuals living independently can now enrol under the scheme and avail themselves of cashless treatment benefits.The government has also expanded the treatment options available under the scheme by permitting 17 additional medical procedures at empanelled private hospitals. Previously, these procedures were largely restricted to government hospitals.The newly approved procedures cover a range of specialities, including treatment for broken nasal bones, removal of enlarged adenoids, hydrocele surgery, drainage of abscesses, gall bladder removal and appendix removal procedures. The expanded list also includes treatment for pregnancy-related complications, selected gynaecological procedures, eye surgeries and orthopaedic interventions such as ankle fracture repair and tendon release surgery.To enrol, residents must submit valid Punjab Aadhaar and voter identity cards. Individuals living alone will also be required to furnish a declaration, which will be verified before approval underthe scheme.