Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates Two CGHS Centres In Panchkula

Chandigarh: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday (June 9) inaugurated two Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) wellness centres in Panchkula and Chandigarh calling quality healthcare priority of the central government. With the Friday opening, Chandigarh now has two CGHS wellness centres. The minister inaugurated the Panchkula centre through a virtual link.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mandaviya said,

It has been the priority of the Narendra Modi government that citizens get quality healthcare.” “If a country has to be made prosperous, it is important that its citizens are healthy. Healthy citizens build a healthy society which in turn leads to a prosperous nation

The minister said the Centre is planning to launch several facilities, include an e-RUPI voucher, for the people. He also praised the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which he said has given health security to 60 crore people so far, as he went to on to attack Congress saying you can’t kill poverty with speeches. Dr. Mandaviya further said,

In 1971, late Indira Gandhi gave ‘Garibi Hatao’ slogan. For 52 years, only one party ruled the country. The poor were used only as a votebank, but the poor were not alleviated. Poor … got electricity connection, they have got a gas cylinder in their home, they have got a house to live. Toilets were build, Ayushman Bharat cards have been given. This happens because of the will of the government… Poor, farmers, women, elderly..they are our priority. And CGHS beneficiaries cannot be out of that priority

Also Read: Five Urban Health, Wellness Centres Launched In Ranchi 

There are nearly 45 lakh CGHS beneficiaries in the country, he said. In 2014, there were only 25 CGHS wellness centres in the country which now stand at 80, he said, adding the number will soon be taken to 100. The CGHS payment system has been connected with National Health Authority, he also said.

Minister Mandaviya said that the waiting period for the clearance of a bill from a private hospital has now been reduced to only 15 days, or less.

The Health Minister also talked about equipping the CGHS beneficiaries with an e-RUPI voucher — a cashless and contactless instrument for digital payment. He told the gathering which had many CGHS beneficiaries in it,

In coming days, we want to start more facilities for the CGHS beneficiaries. If you have to undergo a test and if you have been referred for that test, diagnosis, then there is no need to go through the bill hassle. In coming days, we are moving ahead to give e-RUPI voucher. There will be an e-voucher in the CGHS beneficiaries accounts and they will have facility to access empanelled hospital and lab once they are referred. For lab report fees of Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 you don’t have to keep bill, you can swipe there and the payment will be made, we are moving forward in this direction

Also Read: Rajasthan Government To Open 70 New Sub-Health Centres Across State

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – theLGBTQ population,indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fightmalnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health,adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoiletsare used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.