CGHS location to be finalised this week

VISAKHAPATNAM, May 16, 2016

The long-pending demand of the Central Government employees and retired personnel for a Central Government Health Scheme Wellness Centre is in its final leg with the documentation of handing over premises to be completed this weekend.

The district administration is learnt to be preparing the necessary documentation for handing over on lease a premises near the ENT Hospital for locating the CGHS Wellness Centre. The Central Government had asked for 3,500 sq ft with ample waiting area and parking space. It has been pending at the district level for over a year.

Following the announcement by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in April last year that the CGHS Wellness Centre would be established in the city, the Ministry had written to all the Central Government offices, establishments and undertakings to offer space for establishing a Wellness Centre here. Unfortunately, none of the offices or establishments responded. The BSNL offered to host the Wellness Centre on the premises of its telephone exchange, and the Viskahapatnam Port Trust offered land and building at its residential area.

However, both the premises were found unsuitable for a clinic visited mostly by old and infirm, who require easy access to medical consultation and facilities.

The Central Government pensioners, who chased the files at every step, met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during his visit to the city to inaugurate outpatient services at the Visakha Institute of Medical, and sought his intervention. Visakhapatnam MP Khambampati Haribabu, who has been following it up with the Centre at every level and was instrumental in getting the Union Health Minister make the announcement, impressed upon the Chief Minister the need for establishing the CGHS Wellness Centre, and Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas to supported the proposal.

The Chief Minister’s intervention gave the proposal the needed momentum and the Additional Director, CGHS Hyderabad, is scheduled to visit the city on Thursday or Friday and complete the formalities. The Additional Union Health Secretary and Director-General CGHS is learnt to have directed the Additional Director to finalise it during his visit to the city.

The CGHS in the city would not only address the needs of Central Government employees and pensioners of the city but also the region.

Officials preparing documentation relating to a premises near the ENT Hospital.

Source :  http://www.thehindu.com