Pensioners To Get Smartcards For Health Scheme

Now, Pensioners To Get Smartcards For Health Scheme

It is a `smart' way to a healthy life. From April 1, Pune's pensioners will get smart cards for availing of medical benefits from the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), anywhere in the country.

While initially new pensioners who get enrolled under the CGHS will be provided the smart cardfrom April, the computerised system will enable at least 84,999 beneficiaries from Pune to avail of this facility phase-wise. Dr S R Pashupati, Additional Director of CGHS told The Indian Express that the smart cards will first be given to the employees and new pensioners who have enrolled. "It will take time to feed data into the computer about the details of each person in the family, collect their photographs and other information and then issue a smart card. The process has been set rolling,''Dr S B Nadoni, senior regional director for health and family welfare for the Maharashtra, Goa and Daman and Diu regions.

CGHS is available in over 25 cities while the CGHS employees living outside the CGHS areas are entitled to reimbursement for medical attendance and treatment under the Central services(medical attendance) rules. The project of computerisation of CGHS dispensaries in Pune is being completed, Nadoni said and pointed out that this smart card can be used by any member of the family. Updated reports of the patients and details will be accessible at the Delhi Headquarters once the data is fed in and the computerisation process is over. The HQ will also subsequently be furnished with details of the need for medicines at various dispensaries, Nadoni said.

According to Pashupati the medical history of the patients, their record of the monthly supplies of drugs and importantly their identifications with photographs will be fed in the computers.