Augmenting CGHS Wellness Centres across regions – Addressing the Needs of Remote Areas in India

Augmenting CGHS Wellness Centres across regions – Addressing the Needs of Remote Areas in India. The unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha addresses the unequal distribution of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) wellness centres, with 26% located in Delhi NCR while some states have fewer than 10. It seeks clarification on reasons for this imbalance, particularly in remote areas like Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. The Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Pratap Rao Jadhav, confirms that 29% of the 342 wellness centres are in Delhi due to high beneficiary concentration. He notes that current norms for establishing new centres will not be modified, but private facilities are being utilized in underserved regions.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1396
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11TH MARCH, 2025.

AUGMENTING CGHS WELLNESS CENTRES ACROSS REGIONS

1396. SHRI MANOJ KUMAR JHA:
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that 26 per cent of CGHS wellness centres are concentrated in Delhi NCR, with some States having fewer than 10 centres;

(b) the reasons behind the unequal distribution of wellness centres and the lack of centres in States like Arunachal Pradesh and UTs like Ladakh, A&N Islands and Lakshadweep;

(c) whether the Ministry plans to modify norms, such as adjusting beneficiary requirements, for establishing new centres in remote areas; and

(d) the measures being taken to expand CGHS wellness centres in underserved regions?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI PRATAP RAO JADHAV)

(a) & (b) : Out of total 342 CGHS Wellness Centres (WCs) in the country, 99 WCs (i.e. 29%) are located in Delhi-NCR, as more than 20 lakhs CGHS beneficiaries (43%) out of total 47.43 lakhs, are residing in Delhi-NCR Region.

(c) & (d) : The extant norms for opening of a new CGHS Wellness Centre, inter-alia, include minimum 2500 principal CGHS Cardholders or 6000 CGHS beneficiaries subject to availability of resources, suitable accommodations, creation of posts of Medical Officers, Pharmacists, Staff Nurse, Clerical Staff etc. Government has no proposal at present to modify the extant norms for opening new CGHS Wellness Centres. In the underserved regions, private hospitals are recognised / empanelled under CS (MA) Rules, 1944, and Authorised Medical Attendant are appointed, for providing medical facilities to Central Government Employees and their family members.

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