CGHS dispensary coming up in Jammu; J&K govt allots land

Pensioners of Jammu and Kashmir Government will soon be able to avail medical facilities under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) as the establishment of a CGHS dispensary in Jammu is on anvil.

Reliable sources in J&K Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department told Excelsior that Government of India (GoI) has already accorded approval for extension of CGHS medical facilities to the pensioners of the UT of J&K and now, to facilitate extension of these facilities to the UT pensioners, a CGHS dispensary is being established in Jammu district.

They revealed that the Health Department recently identified a land measuring 4 kanal and 6 marlas at village Thangar, tehsil Bahu in Jammu district for setting up a CGHS dispensary and the matter to transfer the land, to Government of India was taken with Department of Revenue for approval but the proposal was returned by the Revenue Department seeking clarity as to whether the land has to be transferred free of cost or on payment of transfer value.

Revealing that the Revenue authorities has calculated a tentative amount of around Rs 7 to 7.5 crore as transfer value for the land, sources said now, the J&K H&ME Department has sought the consent of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as to whether the land is to be transferred free of cost or on payment of transfer value. They said the J&K H&ME department has also raised a query with the Union Government regarding any draft MoU required to be signed between J&K UT Government and CGHS for affecting the transfer of land.

Sources said after getting clarification from Union Ministry of H&FW, the land will be transferred to the CGHS authorities for establishment of a dispensary, where pensioners of J&K Government may visit and avail the CGHS medical facilities, which till date, were available only to pensioners of Government of India. However, the pensioners of J&K UT will be able to avail these facilities on payment of requisite subscription fees as per the CGHS guidelines, and that too subject to the conditions that they are not availing medical benefits from any other Government Health Scheme.

“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,” they said, adding, the Scheme covers various treatments and procedures under Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics.

Stating that the extension of CGHS facilities to J&K pensioners is a significant stride towards ensuring the welfare of J&K UT pensioners, sources said various types of medical systems including Allopathy, Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathy, Indian System of Medicine and Siddha & Yoga are covered under CGHS. Daily Excelsior