Health care in India

Government has undertaken several steps to improve the functioning of CGHS - Minister replied in Lok Sabha

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 10:29 AM PDT

Health & Family Welfare Minister Shri.Ghulam Nabi Azad replied in Lok Sabha on 17.8.2012 to the question of 'what action taken by the Government, whether complaints have been received about the dissatisfaction of a large number of Central Government Employees with the services provided by the Government under the Central Government Health Scheme'.

PERFORMANCE OF CGHS

While CGHS endeavors to provide best possible health care facilities to the large number of beneficiaries consulting / visiting CGHS Wellness Centres (approx. 1.2 Crore during the last one year), some complaints are received about unsatisfactory services. 

The dissatisfaction relates to shortage of doctors and other manpower resulting in waiting period before consulting doctors, issue of medicines, delay in settlement of medical claims of pensioners, issue of medicines of specific brand, reimbursement at CGHS rates for the treatment taken from unrecognized hospitals, overcharging by empanelled hospitals, opening of new dispensaries, etc. 

Government has been receiving increased budgetary support over the last few years to take care of CGHS beneficiaries. 

Government has undertaken several steps to improve the functioning of CGHS. These include: 

§  Computerization to improve better inventory management and availability of medicines at CGHS Wellness Centres. Based on computer data, 272 commonly indented medicines are procured from manufacturers at discounted rates and make them available at Wellness Centres. 

§  Portability of CGHS cards at any dispensary all over the country. 

§  Issue of medicines for three months in cases of chronic illnesses. 

§  Appointment of Medical officers on contract basis as an interim measure to tide over shortage of doctors. 

§  Receipt of medical claims of pensioners at Dispensary level and proper verification of documents by CMO i/c to ensure that all required documents are submitted. 

§  Enhancement of financial powers of Addl. Directors upto Rs.5 Lakhs for speedy settlement of medical claims of pensioners. 

§  Regular meetings undertaken by Addl. Directors with CMOs i/c to ensure smooth functioning of Wellness Centres for better delivery of services. 

§  Reimbursement from two sources – i.e., from CGHS as well as medical insurance in respect of beneficiaries holding mediclaim policies. 

§  Formation of Standing Technical Committees for examination of requests for full reimbursement. 

§  Settlement of hospital bills of empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres through UTI-ITSL for early settlement of claims to ensure that the empanelled hospitals provide credit facility to pensioners , etc., 

§  Pensioner CGHS beneficiaries residing in non-CGHS areas are permitted to avail IPD and follow up treatment from CS (MA)/ ECHS empanelled hospitals with prior permission from CGHS. 

24.08.2012 Infrastructure in Government Hospitals The National Health Policy has been formulated in 2002 to achieve an acceptable standard of good health amongst the general population of the country. In pursuance with the policy guidelines, the Government launched National Rural Health Mission in 2005 with a view to provide accessible, affordable, accountable and quality health care facilities in rural areas with focus on poor and vulnerable sections of the society.  Health is state subject, it the responsibility of the State Governments to create adequate health infrastructure in the States to meet the growing number of the patients. However, the Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments by providing assistance through various programmes such as NRHM etc. In addition,PradhanMantriSwasthyaSurakshaYojana (PMSSY) was approved. It aims at correcting the imbalances in availability of affordable/reliable tertiary level healthcare in the country in general and augmenting facilities for quality medical education in the under-served States.             As far as three Central Government Hospitals in Delhi, viz. Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. RML Hospital and LHMC and associated Hospitals are concerned, it is a fact that there is an increase of patients. In order to meet the need of increasing load of patients in these hospitals, up-gradation of Hospital infrastructure and services is done on a continuous basis in their available resources.  This information was given in written reply by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Ghulam NabiAzad in Lok Sabha today. BN/ls (Release ID :86678) 23.8.2012 Upgradation of Facilities in Railway Hospitals  There are sufficient medical facilities and doctors available in the hospitals of Indian Railways. A network of 125 well equipped hospitals and 586 health units provide necessary health care to Railway beneficiaries.  There are 2504 sanctioned posts of doctors in Indian Railways. As on date there are 2240 doctors on roll. Vacancies of doctors in Railways are filled up by posting Union Public Service Commission selected doctors. Vacancies are also being filled up by appointing Contract Medical Practitioners including specialists, ensuring continuous availability of doctors.  Upgrading of the facilities in the hospitals is an ongoing process and works and equipments are sanctioned to improve the existing infrastructure and add new facilities based on the needs of the Railway beneficiaries.  This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri K. H. Muniyappa in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.  AKS/HK/LK/T R  (Release ID :86608)

Medical Facilities to Non-Pensioners Currently the policy does not cover the non-pensioners such as Emergency Commissioned Officers, Short Service Commissioned officers. However, there is a proposal to make Short Service Commission more attractive which has been initiated in which the provision for grant of ECHS facilities in a restricted manner to Short Service Commissioned Officers has been included. This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr MM PallamRajuin a written reply to ShrimatiParamjitKaurGulshanin Lok Sabha today.  HH/NN  (Release ID :86776)