There’s good news for over 1 crore central government employees and pensioners covered under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). Major reforms are being planned to improve services under this health scheme, including the possibility of opening new wellness centres. If you are a beneficiary of CGHS, here are some important updates you should know.
Key Reforms and Changes
Several significant reforms are being considered, such as addressing staff shortages, ensuring uninterrupted medicine supply, and empanelling private hospitals to offer subsidised treatments. These changes are focused on improving services, especially for pensioners.
These matters were discussed during the recent 34th SCOVA (Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies) meeting, chaired by Union Minister Jitendra Singh. Representatives from various pensioners’ associations across the country presented their concerns and suggestions. The current status of CGHS and the need for its improvement was the central issue. SCOVA, formed in 1986, is an advisory platform that connects pensioners’ concerns directly to the government and includes representatives from ministries and pensioners’ groups.
What Changes Are Expected in CGHS?
- New Wellness Centres: There is a demand to open new CGHS wellness centres in cities like Pune, Bengaluru, Balasore, Nagpur, Chennai, Puducherry, and Jammu.
- Modern Polyclinic in Jammu: Plans are being considered to open a modern polyclinic in Jammu, equipped with a testing lab.
- Addressing Staff Shortages: Recruitment processes have begun through the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to fill vacant positions at wellness centres.
- Continuous Medicine Supply: To ensure the availability of life-saving drugs, stock will now be maintained not just based on demand, but also on historical data and trends.
- Inclusion of Private Hospitals: In areas without CGHS wellness centres, proposals are under review to empanel private hospitals to offer services under CGHS.
- Upgradation of Existing Centres: Existing wellness centres in cities like Bengaluru, Nagpur, and Chennai will be upgraded in terms of infrastructure and facilities.
- Faster Medical Refunds: Pensioners expressed dissatisfaction with delays in medical claim refunds. The ministry has assured improvement in processing times.
Why are Reforms in CGHS Necessary?
CGHS is a crucial health scheme for central government employees, pensioners, and their families. However, in recent years, issues such as staff shortages, irregular medicine supplies, and refund delays have created problems for many beneficiaries.
Pensioners’ associations across the country have raised concerns about the current state of CGHS. With the growing elderly population, there is a strong need to make the scheme more effective and responsive.
What Do Experts Say?
Senior pension experts believe that expanding CGHS coverage and increasing transparency in its functioning should be a priority for the government. Especially in smaller towns where healthcare services are limited, adding private hospitals to the CGHS panel could offer much-needed relief.