Chandigarh, October 20
The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), which provides medical treatment and healthcare to serving and retired employees and their dependants, is being revamped to broaden its scope and make it more beneficiary friendly.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that oversees the functioning of the CGHS, has invited suggestions in this regard from stakeholders, including its beneficiaries, service providers and controlling authorities by November 30. The CGHS is a major perk as it enables government employees to avail quality medicare in private hospitals at controlled rates.
In operation for over six decades, the CGHS is providing comprehensive medical care primarily to Central government employees and pensioners, including members of the judiciary and legislature, enrolled under the scheme. At present, it covers about 35 lakh beneficiaries in 71 cities across the country. Treatment through allopathic and homoeopathic streams as well as the Indian systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Yoga is available under the CGHS.
There is a move to cover additional cities under the CGHS so as to bring in more employees under its ambit. The number of empanelled private hospitals and diagnostic centers as well as local authorised chemists for disbursement of prescribed medicines is also being increased. According to some of the beneficiaries, there are several administrative and operational issues that need to be addressed to streamline CGHS functioning, especially in smaller towns and remote locations.
One of the biggest demand of employees regarding the CGHS is to increase the number of dispensaries. The scheme's organisational structure, rules and regulations and process controls as well as financial procedures and delegation of powers would also be reviewed. — TNS
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