Question : MEDICAL FACILITIES TO RAILWAY EMPLOYEES

(a) whether the Railways have made arrangement for hospital and medical facility in each of the Railway Divisions with a view to provide medical care to Railway employees, alongwith their dependents, retired employees ;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether there is shortage of specialist doctors in the hospitals of various Railway Divisions;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Railways have provided medical facilities to the Railway employees and retired Railway employees in the Central Government Health Scheme and recognized private hospitals besides the Railway hospitals; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI R. VELU )

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) A statement is attached.

(c) & (d) Shortage of specialist doctors in Railway hospitals, is made good by following two schemes;

1. Honorary Visiting Specialists : Specialist doctors from private sector are engaged to work in railway hospitals as specialists for two hours a day for 6 or 4 or 2 days in a week;

2. Hospital in-charges are given authority to call specialist doctors from private specialist services on case to case basis.

(a) Yes, Sir. Only through private recognized Hospitals.

(f) Does not arise.