Question : Expansion of CGHS Coverage

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Services in 29 more cities in India by 2022, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is aware about the shortage of child vaccines in the CGHS dispensaries of Delhi;

(c) whether the Government proposes to make it mandatory to procure certain amount of patented/generic medicines from Government Pharma PSUs;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the medicines procured by CGHS during last three years, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the other steps taken by the Government to reduce rural-urban gap in access to quality healthcare and advanced treatment and diagnostic facilities in the country?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a): No.

(b): Vaccines for Immunization programme in Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Wellness Centres in Delhi are supplied by the Government of NCT of Delhi and there are, at times, delay in the supplies.

(c) & (d): Pharmaceutical Purchase Policy, 2013 mandates procurement of 103 medicines from Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). A statement showing State/ UT-wise medicines procured by CGHS from CPSEs is at Annexure.



(e): “Public Health & Hospital” being a State subject, the primary responsibility to provide healthcare to the people lies with the State Governments. To address the healthcare challenges, particularly in rural areas, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was launched in 2005 to supplement the efforts of the State/UT governments to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to all those who access public health facilities. Currently, NRHM is a sub-mission of National Health Mission (NHM).


This support under NHM includes provision of a host of free services such as maternal health, child health, adolescent health, family planning, universal immunisation programme, and for major diseases such as Tuberculosis, HIV/ AIDS, vector borne diseases like Malaria, Dengue and Kala Azar, Leprosy etc.

Other major initiatives include Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (under which free drugs, free diagnostics, free blood and diet, free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back home is provided), Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (which provides newborn and child health screening and early interventions services free of cost for birth defects, diseases, deficiencies and developmental delays to improve the quality of survival), implementation of Free Drugs and Free Diagnostics Service Initiatives, Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme and implementation of National Quality Assurance Framework.

Mobile Medical Units & Telemedicine are also being implemented with NHM support to improve healthcare access particularly in rural areas.