Central Government Health Scheme

Central Government Health Scheme
Country	India
Launched	1954
Current status	Active

The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) was started under the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 1954 with the objective of providing comprehensive medical care facilities to Central Government employees, pensioners and their dependents residing in CGHS covered cities.

History

The scheme was initially started in Delhi in 1954. Subsequently CGHS Services were extended to the following 17 cities: Allahabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jabalpur, Lucknow, Chennai, West Bengal, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, Kanpur, Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati.

The Central Govt. Health Scheme is applicable to the following categories of people residing in CGHS covered cities:

• All Central Govt. Servants paid from Civil Estimates (other than those employed in Railway Services and those employed under Delhi Administration except members of Delhi Police Force).
• Pensioners drawing pension from Civil Estimates and their family members (Pensioner residing in non- CGHS areas also may obtain CGHS Card from nearest CGHS covered City)
• Members and Ex-members of Parliament
• Judges of the Supreme Court and High Court (sitting and retired)
• Freedom Fighters
• Central Government Pensioners, Employees of Semi-Autonomous bodies/Semi Government Organisations
• Accredited Journalists
• Ex-Governors and Ex-Vice-Presidents of India

The medical facilities are provided through Wellness Centres (previously referred to as CGHS Dispensaries) / polyclinics under Allopathic, Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Sidha and Homeopathic systems of medicines.

• 254 allopathic dispensaries, 19 polyclinics, 78 Ayush dispensary units
• 3 Yoga Centres
• 65 Laboratories
• 17 Dental Units

The main components of the Scheme are:

• The dispensary services including domiciliary care
• F. W. & M.C.H. Services
• Specialists consultation facilities both at dispensary, polyclinic and hospital
• level including X-Ray, ECG and Laboratory Examinations
• Hospitalization
• Organization for the purchase, storage, distribution and supply of medicines
• and other requirements
• Health Education to beneficiaries

The dispensary is the backbone of the Scheme. Instructions on these various matters have been issued from, time to time for the guidance of the specialists and medical Officers. With the rapid and continuous expansion of the Scheme, however, not only situation has changed and problems arisen but also. the rapidly expanding staff have not approved practices, procedures and instructions in regard to their various duties and responsibilities. In the following paragraphs is set out the gist of provisions of the Scheme, various instructions and order issued from time to time to serve as a Compendium for the guidance of the CGHS staff.