Question : PROVISION TO PROVIDE CPAP MACHINE TO CGHS BENEFICIARIES

(a) whether his ministry is denying the reimbursement for the CPAP Machine to the CGHS beneficiaries suffering from Sleep Apnea Syndrome in spite of clear recommendations of the specialist doctors that if this illness is not treated urgently and adequately may be life threatening;

(b) if so, the number of such requests are pending/have been rejected by the Ministries/Departments of Central Government alongwith their duration of pendancy and the year of rejection;

(c) whether provision of CPAP machine facilities are being provided under ESIC scheme implemented by the Ministry of Labour;

(d) if so, the reasons for which this facility is being denied to CGHS beneficiaries;

(e) whether the Government propose to provide the said machine to those CGHS beneficiaries who are suffering for the said disease or such patients should be left to suffer from sleep apnea syndrome which is life threatening disease; and

(f) if so, the action taken/proposed to be taken to provide this said facility to CGHS beneficiaries?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. RITA VERMA)

(a): As a matter of policy, CPAP Machine is not sanctioned to the CGHS beneficiaries, as this is a hospital equipment and the Committee of Experts set up for this purpose had not recommended it for domestic use.

(b): Seven cases are pending viz., 3 in 1996, one in 1997, one in 1998 and 2 in 2000. One case has been rejected in 2000.

(c): CPAP machine facility is not provisioned under the ESI Scheme. However, as a general policy, appliances recommended by the treating specialists, are made available to the patients.

(d): The Experts Committee had opined in 1997 that `The CPAP/BIPAP Units are complicated to be used within domociliary set up and are generally used under medical supervision and hence, not recommended for domiciliary use`.

(e): No, Sir.