No.NC-JCM-2020/Health
May 20, 2020
The Secretary,
Government of India,
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
Nirman Bhawan,
New Delhi. 110011
Dear Sir,
Sub : Health care facilities for the Central Government Employees and pensioners problems and difficulties During lockdown period – redressal regarding.
It has been brought to our notice by various Federations/organizations of Central Government employees and Pensioners that they face serious problems in accessing the healthcare-related facilities during the lockdown period throughout the country. As you are aware that since 24th March 2020, the whole country has been placed under lockdown to combat the spread of the pandemic COVID-19. The employees and especially the pensioners are not allowed to stir out of their homes. In the case of employees, they are allowed to go only to the places where they are assigned specific jobs. This apart, the CGHS dispensaries themselves had been functioning with little staff and virtually they were open for namesake only. Neither the medicines were available nor the doctor. In the case of those employees, who are entitled for the benefit of CCS(MA) rules, the situation was much more precarious in as much as no private clinic was allowed to be open and the AMAs were not allowed the private practice. The Government hospitals in most of the cases had been declared as exclusive COVID 19 hospitals where other treatments are declared impermissible.
Initially everybody thought that the situation would be a passing phase and would improve once the pandemic spread is arrested. However, despite the lockdown and other measures, the spread of the disease had been on increase in many parts of the country, with the result the lockdown had to be extended to the fourth phase. In the situation in which we are placed, it is difficult to bring about normalcy in the near future. Perhaps till the anti-virus vaccine is developed or medicine to cure the disease is invented, the world will have to live with certain restrictions to contain the deadly nature of the disease. In the circumstances, we are afraid that the Government will have to think in terms of alternative methods of providing the health care facilities for the employees and pensioners keeping the present rules and regulations under suspension.
We, therefore, make the following suggestions to have hassle-free alternate arrangements till normalcy is restored or travel restrictions are eased.
When inpatient treatment becomes necessary:-
(i) CGHS beneficiaries(including pensioners): may be allowed to undergo treatment any private hospital near their residence. The cost of treatment will be reimbursed by the concerned department in the case of employees and CGHS in the case of pensioners The Govt. may direct all hospitals to provide treatment to all CGEs and CG pensioners and they might be told that the rates stipulated by AIIMS Delhi must be the basis of billing. The hospitals may be asked to submit the bills to the concerned department/ Addl. Director, CGHS as the case may be for payment.
(ii) The treatment has to be based on the production of the CG HS card.
Non-CGHS patients:
(i) They may also avail the same facility as the CGHS beneficiaries. i.e.in any hospitals near their residence. Their admission will be based on the basis of a certificate of identity issued by the department in which he/she is employed.
Out-patient treatment
(i) Outpatient treatment for employees may be provided by the private hospitals on the basis of a predetermined rate of consultation.
(ii) The employees will submit the bills and get the cost reimbursed
Pensioners (outpatient treatment)
(i) In the case of pensioners who require outpatient treatment, they may be permitted to avail of either the CGHS facilities, if it is nearby their residence or in any private hospitals, which is near to their residence. Those who avail the private hospital facilities may submit their bills to the additional director pension for reimbursement. The private hospitals tlu·oughout the country may be asked to provide the O.P. Treatment to CG employees and pensioners on the basis of predetermined consultation fees and stipulated charges for pathological tests.
We request you to kindly consider these suggestions and issue the necessary orders.
Yours faithfully,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary
