(a) whether most of the CGHS dispensaries have been hit by funds crunch resulting in poor health care for the CGHS beneficiaries in the country; and
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Union Government to allocate sufficient funds for upgradation/modernization of CGHS dispensaries in the country?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE(SHRI A. RAJA)
(a): Health care services for the CGHS beneficiaries have not been adversely affected even though there is a crunch in budgetary allocation. However, adequate Health care delivery is provided to all the CGHS beneficiaries through OPD consultation in all the CGHS dispensaries/Govt. hospitals and round the clock emergency-services in the multi-shift CGHS dispensaries. Any drug prescribed by the Govt. Specialists, not available in the dispensary, is issued to the beneficiary after procuring the same from the Authorised Local Chemist on the basis of the individual prescription of the beneficiary. In the case of emergency, an authority slip is issued to the beneficiary for collecting the medicine directly from the Authorised Local Chemist without making any payment. Private hospitals and diagnostic centres have been recognised under CGHS in various CGHS covered cities so that the CGHS beneficiaries have the option of getting the required healthcare.
(b): Budget allocation to CGHS has been enhanced by Rs.15.00 crore during the current financial year 2003-04.