Earlier, it was said that the process of linking the ID and ABHA of CGHS beneficiaries would start from April 1st. Various ministries and departments of the Central Government were asked to complete this work in thirty days. Now the deadline for making Abha ID has been extended.
There is a big update for the beneficiaries of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). Earlier it was said that this card will have to be linked to Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) within 30 days. Now the Central Government Directorate General of Health Schemes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a new office memorandum ‘OM’ on 15 April. In this, the deadline for making ‘ABHA’ ID has been extended. Besides, the time period for linking CGHS ID with Ayushman Bharat health account has also been extended.
Deadline for making ABHA extended
Earlier, it was said that the process of linking the ID and ABHA of CGHS beneficiaries would start from April 1st. Various ministries and departments of the Central Government were asked to complete this work in thirty days. Now the deadline for making Abha ID has been extended. This deadline has been extended for three months (90 days) from June 30. Along with this, the time period for linking Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) ID with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) has also been extended. This has been increased by 120 days. That means, CGHS and ABHA will have to be linked within 120 days from June 30. To help CGHS beneficiaries in this work, kiosks will be installed at all the wellness centres. These kiosks will start functioning by June 30.
Last year the government had denied
Last year, a screenshot of a WhatsApp chat (message) went viral on social media. It was said in it that CGHS and Ayushman Bharat Health Account are being linked. Many types of misconceptions were spreading among the beneficiaries through that message. Like, why does the government want to take that step? Were any rules of treatment in government and private hospitals to be changed by that order? At that time the Central Government had denied the message that went viral on social media. PIB Fact Check had declared it to be completely fake. In an office memorandum issued by the Central Government Directorate General of Health Schemes on March 28 this year, it was said that CGHS and Ayushman Bharat Health Account should be linked.
Government can take some big decision
CGHS card will have to be linked to Ayushman Bharat Health Account within 30 days. When this order came, the employees started fearing that sooner or later the Central Government may take a major decision regarding CGHS. It was feared that employees and pensioners might be diverted from CGHS. Treatment facilities for government employees in private hospitals may end. C. Sreekumar, member of the Standing Committee of the Staff Side National Council (JCM) and General Secretary of All India Defense Employees Federation (AIDEF), has written a letter to the Secretary of ‘Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’ in this regard last week. It said that employee organizations and JCM have not supported this decision of the Central Government.
It was not necessary to take advice from the employees.
Sreekumar has written in his letter, the decision of the Health Ministry that now the CGHS ID card will have to be linked to the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) of the Government of India is surprising. Central government employees have been shocked by this decision. The Health Ministry did not even consider it necessary to take the advice of the Central Employees Organizations and the Standing Committee of the Staff Side National Council (JCM) before taking such a decision. However, meanwhile, an official of the Health Ministry has informed the representative of the employee organization that it is not mandatory to link the CGHS ID card with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) of the Government of India. This decision will remain as an option.
Office Memorandum should be withdrawn
According to Srikumar, this is a well-thought-out step by the Government of India. Through this, an attempt is being made to put pressure on government employees to get treatment only in government hospitals. Employees, say goodbye to CGHS empanelment hospitals. In such a situation, Shrikumar has requested the Health Ministry to withdraw the office memorandum issued on March 28, in which it has been said to link the CGHS ID card with the Ayushman Bharat health account of the Government of India. Also, a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Staff Side National Council (JCM) should be called regarding this matter. All aspects of the employees should be heard in it.
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