Set up exclusive super speciality hospitals for CGHS:Par panel

A Parliamentary panel has strongly recommended setting up of super speciality hospitals exclusively for CGHS beneficiaries in each metro city on the lines of ESIC and Ministries of Railways and Defence.
The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare in its report on the functioning of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) suggested strengthening of CGHS services by starting mobile dispensaries for underserved areas.
The Committee also sought organising special sessions and maintaining special cells in all offices for redressal of public grievances. It also called for separate service windows to all senior citizens for availing medical facilities in hospitals/dispensaries whereever possible.

The panel asked the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to take up the issue of expansion of CGHS with the Ministry of Finance.
It also demanded online bill submission and approval process so that online bills are submitted in hospitals while reviewing the reimbursement process and make it simpler. It also called for setting up of claim adalats for settling pending claims and online redressal of grievances under CGHS.
The Committee also called for a separate insurance policy to cover the entire expenditure involved in the treatment of cancer and other terminally ill diseases for CGHS beneficiairies with its premium shared by government and beneficiairies.

The Committte said the department should review the system to streamline and revamp it so as to remove the delay in supply of medicines. It also called for regularly monitoring the quality and efficacy of drugs supplied to beneficiaries.
"The quality of medicines is the bedrock for health care services and if it gets compromised, it will erode the credibility of th whole health care delivery system. The Committee accordingly directs that suitable measures be taken to ensure that only good quality lab tested drugs are supplied to CGHS beneficiaires," the Committee recommended.