Central Government Health Scheme | 17 Apr 2023

For Prelims: Central Government Health Scheme.

For Mains: India's Health Infrastructure.

Why in News?

Recently, the Health Ministry announced that it has revised the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) package rates for all CGHS beneficiaries and simplified the referral process under CGHS for the benefit of its employees by offering a video call facility.

  • The Central government has increased the CGHS rates of consultation fee for out-patient department (OPD)/in-patient department (IPD) to ₹350 from ₹150. Similarly, ICU charges have been revised to ₹5,400.

What will be the Implications of the Recent Changes Made in CGHS?

  • Healthcare Costs:
    • The revision of CGHS package rates, including the increase in consultation fees, ICU charges, and room rent, is likely to result in increased healthcare costs for beneficiaries. While the revised rates are aimed at covering the rising costs of healthcare services, the move may affect the affordability of healthcare for some.
  • Access to Healthcare Services:
    • The introduction of the video call referral process is expected to improve access to healthcare services under the CGHS, particularly for those who find it difficult to visit the Wellness Centre in person. It is also anticipated that this simplified process will enhance the efficiency of the CGHS by reducing delays and inconvenience for beneficiaries.

What is CGHS?

  • About:
    • CGHS is a comprehensive healthcare scheme provided by the Central Government to its employees, pensioners, and their dependents.
    • It was established in 1954 with the aim of providing quality healthcare services to government employees and their families.
  • Facilities Provided:
    • Outpatient department (OPD) treatment at its wellness centres, which includes the issuance of medicines
    • Specialist consultation at polyclinics, government hospitals, and CGHS enrolled hospitals with a referral from CGHS
    • OPD and inpatient treatment at government and enrolled hospitals with cashless treatment facilities for pensioners and identified beneficiaries in impanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres
    • Reimbursement for treatment expenses incurred in government or private hospitals in case of an emergency
    • Reimbursement for expenses incurred for the purchase of hearing aids, artificial limbs, and appliances after obtaining permission
    • Maternity and child health services, family welfare, and medical consultation
    • Dispensing of medicines in Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, and Siddha system of medicines (AYUSH)
  • Achievements:
    • Presently approximately 42 lakh beneficiaries are covered by CGHS in 79 cities all over India and the endeavor is to include more cities to improve the accessibility of the services.

What are the Government Initiatives Related to Healthcare?

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q. Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? (2017)

  1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
  2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
  3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
  4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 3 and 4 only

Ans: (a)

Exp:

  • National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan) is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, GoI, which ensures convergence with various programmes like Anganwadi services, National Health Mission, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Swachh-Bharat Mission, etc.
  • The goals of National Nutrition Mission (NNM) are to achieve improvement in nutritional status of children from 0-6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers in a time bound manner during the next three years beginning 2017- 18. Hence, 1 is correct.
  • NNM targets to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia (among young children, women and adolescent girls) and reduce low birth weight of babies. Hence, 2 is correct.
  • There is no such provision relating to consumption of millets, unpolished rice, coarse cereals and eggs under NNM. Hence, 3 and 4 are not correct.
  • Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Mains

Q. “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse. (2021)

Source: TH

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