CGHS faces over-billing, unsatisfactory services complaints

New Delhi: The Government has received complaints of “over-billing and unsatisfactory services” from beneficiaries of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and has constituted a committee to look into the issue, the Lok Sabha was told Friday.

“Yes. Some complaints from CGHS beneficiaries regarding over-billing and unsatisfactory and deficient services have been received by CGHS and the same has been taken up with Director Forsan Healthcare Pvt Ltd,” Health Minister J P Nadda informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question.

Forsan is the service provider for dental clinics run in the CGHS dispensaries.

The Minister said that an internal committee comprising of dental specialists has been constituted to look into the complaints received.

“About 3,000 bills of CGHS Delhi for period of 2011-13 have been checked by the committee and it has recommended refund of Rs 3.13 crore from the pending bills of the agency.

“Additionally, bill amount of Rs 1.79 crore (approximately) has been withheld,” Nadda said.

He informed the Upper house that CGHS has also constituted two standing committees to look into the working and other related issues to keep a check over the quality of services provided by the agency.

Additionally the bills submitted by the agency are now scrutinized by the CMO of the wellness centres to which these dental units are attached, Nadda said.

Replying to another question, he said that the Indian Council of Medical Research has informed that so far 14 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) have been established by the council.

He said that the department of health research has launched a scheme on “Establishment of a Network of Laboratories for Managing Epidemics and Natural Calamities” for implementation during the 12th Plan period.

“The target under the scheme is for 10 regional labs, 30 state level labs and 120 medical college level labs. 30 VRDLs have been established under the scheme,” he said.

He said that the funds released under the scheme for establishment of VRDLs during 2013-14 are Rs 34 crores and Rs 30 crores respectively. The approval committee constituted under the scheme has approved 51 VRDLs and funds have been released for 30 VRDLs, he added.

Inputs with PTI