(a) whether the Government is aware that the CGHS beneficiaries particularly the senior citizens are facing acute difficulties with regard to having medicines and getting appointment with specialists; and
(b) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. ANBUMANI RAMADOSS)
(a) & (b) Adequate quantity of medicines are available in CGHS dispensaries and there is no shortage. However, any drug prescribed by the Specialists and not available in the dispensary is made available to the beneficiaries from the Authorised local chemist on the basis of individual prescriptions. In case of emergency, authority slip is issued to the beneficiaries for immediate procurement directly from the authorised local chemist without any payment, so that the beneficiaries are not inconvenienced.
The Medical Officers in CGHS dispensaries refer the beneficiaries including pensioners for getting consultation/opinion of the CGHS/Government specialists at the Nodal centres of the respective CGHS dispensary/polyclinic or at any of the Government hospitals. CGHS beneficiaries having a basic pay/basic pension of Rs.12,000/- or above are allowed to have direct consultation with the Government specialists.