Srinagar, Dec 20: Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has included Jammu and Kashmir Government pensioners under the umbrella of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has extended the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) to include Jammu and Kashmir Government pensioners. This move, outlined in an official order, emphasizes the extension of CGHS facilities to pensioners under Union Territories’ (UTs) Administration, excluding Delhi and Chandigarh.
On Thursday, many pensioners from Jammu and Kashmir expressed their gratitude to the Union Health Ministry for extending CGHS facilities to the UT.
Syed Bashrat Shah, a resident of Srinagar said this is a game-changer for us. Now, we can access quality healthcare without the financial burden. It is a relief to know that the CGHS scheme is not just for government employees anymore, he said.
“I have been worried about medical expenses in my retirement. With CGHS now covering J&K pensioners, it’s like a safety net for our health. I appreciate the government’s efforts in making healthcare accessible to all retirees,” Shah added.
Another employee Meena Gupta, a retired government employee from Jammu said that she has spent years worrying about healthcare costs. This decision is a relief for us pensioners. CGHS will make quality healthcare accessible, and we are truly thankful for this inclusive move, she said.
It is heartening to see the government considering the health needs of retirees. With CGHS covering J&K pensioners now, there’s a sense of security. This will definitely ease the financial burden on many of us during our retired years,” Gupta said.
On 16 December, Secretary of Health and Medical Education Department, Jammu & Kashmir Bhupinder Kumar said pensioners in J&K can now avail the CGHS scheme by paying the requisite subscription fees, aligning with prevailing CGHS guidelines.
He said there is need for awareness among the pensioners, as most of the pensioners of J&K Government are ignorant regarding the extension of this scheme to them,” he said.
“Earlier only Central Government employees and pensioners were beneficiaries of this scheme, but the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare issued an order, making the pensioners of J&K also eligible for this Health scheme.” Kumar said.
He said CGHS officials are planning to soon hold awareness camps for them in various parts of the Union Territory. These camps aim to educate pensioners about the benefits of the Central Government Health Scheme and guide them on how to take advantage of this healthcare initiative.
He encouraged pensioners in Jammu and Kashmir to avail Benefit of this scheme, recognizing the wide-ranging advantages it provides.
The CGHS itself offers a comprehensive range of benefits, covering OPD treatment and medication charges, indoor treatment, diagnostic services at Government or CGHS-affiliated hospitals, child health services, family welfare, medical advice, and distribution of medicines.
The scheme encompasses various treatments and procedures under Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology, and Orthopaedics.
