The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), which caters to over one crore government employees and pensioners, is set to undergo a major revamp aimed at improving healthcare delivery. This development was discussed during the 34th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA), chaired by Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
Plans include the establishment of new wellness centres in cities like Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Nagpur, Jammu, Balasore, and Puducherry, along with a modern polyclinic with a testing lab in Jammu. To address the severe staff shortage at wellness centres, the government will initiate recruitment through the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Medicine availability is also being improved, with stocking now based on past demand trends to prevent shortages.
The inclusion of private hospitals under CGHS is under consideration, especially in areas lacking government wellness centres, which could offer significant relief to pensioners. Existing wellness centres in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Nagpur will also see infrastructure upgrades.
Pensioners voiced concerns about delays in reimbursement of medical claims, to which the ministry responded with assurances of faster processing. As the number of elderly beneficiaries rises, these reforms are seen as critical to making CGHS more efficient, accessible, and transparent.
If implemented effectively and on time, these changes could significantly enhance the quality and reliability of healthcare services under CGHS, offering new hope to lakhs of pensioners across the country.
