Pensioners of J&K also eligible for CGHS scheme: Bhupinder

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 16: The pensioners of Jammu and Kashmir Government are now also eligible for the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), a scheme provided by the Central Government for its employees and pensioners.
This was revealed by Bhupinder Kumar, Secretary of Health and Medical Education Department, Jammu & Kashmir, in a statement issued today. He said earlier only Central Government employees and pensioners were beneficiaries of this scheme but last month, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare issued an order, making the pensioners of J&K also eligible for this Health scheme.
Bhupinder stated that J&K UT pensioners may avail the CGHS scheme on payment of requisite subscription fees as per the prevalent CGHS guidelines, subject to the conditions that the pensioners of UT Government seeking CGHS coverage are not availing medical benefits from any other Government Health Scheme.
“As most of the pensioners of J&K Government are ignorant regarding extension of this scheme to them, CGHS officials are planning to soon hold awareness camps for them in various parts of the Union Territory in which the pensioners will be educated about the benefits of this Central Government Health Scheme and how they can take benefit of this scheme,” he added.
The Secretary informed that the benefits provided under CGHS include OPD treatment and medication charges, indoor treatment, diagnosis services at Government or CGHS affiliated hospitals, child health services, family welfare, medical advice and distribution of medicines. He said the Scheme covers various treatments and procedures under Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics.
He said various types of medical systems including Allopathy, Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathy, Indian System of Medicine and Siddha & Yoga are covered under CGHS. He said the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken a great step by extending CGHS facilities to J&K pensioners and they should take benefit of this scheme.