Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare virtually inaugurated the CGHS Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) in Shambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra and Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu today in the presence of Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar. Shri Atul Moreshwar Save, Minister for Cooperation and OBC Welfare, Government of Maharashtra, Shri PR Natarajan, Member of Parliament, Shri Syed Imtiaz Jalil, Member of Parliament, Mrs. Vanathi Srinivasan, MLA from Coimbatore South were also present to grace the occasion.

Expressing his elation at the event, Dr Mandaviya said that the two CGHS HWCs will play a pivotal role in providing good medical facilities to the people of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Congratulating the beneficiaries on opening of the CGHS HWCs at Shambhaji Nagar and Coimbatore, he stated that “it is our government's responsibility to provide quality healthcare services and welfare for our CGHS employees, pensioners and their dependents.”

The Union Health Minister added that these centres would help in increasing the ease of attaining medical services. He highlighted that the number of CGHS Centres has increased from 25 in 2014 to 79 today. This is in line with the vision of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to provide easily accessible healthcare services closer to the communities.

Highlighting various initiatives taken by Union Health Ministry for CGHS beneficiaries, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated Union Health Ministry is working in mission mode on several fronts to improve the service being provided by CGHS to its beneficiaries’ grievance redressal by daily monitoring, reimbursements redressal, expanding the network of private hospitals and many other steps have laid to quick reimbursement and decrease in pendency of such cases. Over the period, CGHS has undergone many changes to keep the pace with the developments in the health sector such as the digitalization of services. Today, more than 9100 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are in existence for the betterment of the people by providing cheap and better quality medicines to all citizens.

He further added that “the Union Government is following ‘token to total’ approach by not only opening HWCs but also by ensuring increased medical professionals and their training through more medical colleges”. He also informed that following the notion of Aarogya Param bhagyam, Swasthyam Sarwaarth Sadhanam, which means good health is the greatest fortune, investing in healthcare is like investing in future, India has been working relentlessly towards rapidly expanding and strengthening health infrastructure across the country. “To reach remotest part of the country, digital interventions like teleconsultations and ABDM has been taken. Janaushadhi Kendras has been established and Ayushman Bharat yojana scheme has been launched. The Union Government has been undertaking various reforms so that "Health for all" can be ensured”, he stated.

Congratulating all the beneficiaries and thanking the Hon’ble Prime Minister for accepting the request of the government employees working in these two areas and gifting them the CGHS Wellness Center, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar said that “CGHS would give robust coverage to pensioners and with new innovations and practices inculcated in these centres”.

She highlighted that the government has taken several measures to improve health facilities under CGHS. “The Union Govt started some of the ambitious initiatives like PMJAY, PM-ABHIM, HWCs to provide welfare to every citizen of the country. We are hopeful that the new wellness centers at Coimbatore, textile capital of South India or the Manchester of South India and Sambhaji Nagar, known for textile and artistic silk fabrics will ease the hardships of the beneficiaries/pensioners not only living in Coimbatore and Sambhaji Nagar, but also those living in the surrounding areas. For example, in Coimbatore, more than 8000 beneficiaries had to travel for 400-500 kms for medical care and medicines. Coimbatore and Sambhaji Nagar CGHS Wellness Centers will not only provide OPD services to the beneficiaries, once they become functional, private hospitals will also come on the panel and pensioners will be helped to avail cashless medical treatment from private hospitals as well.

Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karar, Union Minister of State for Finance congratulated the beneficiaries and said that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the country is making huge strides in the field of Health & Wellness.

****

MV

HFW/HFM Inauguration of CGHS Wellness Centres/22^nd March2023/4