Deputy CM TS Singh Deo Drives Healthcare Reform in Chhattisgarh
Raipur: In a significant development, the Chhattisgarh government, under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister and Health and Medical Education Minister TS Singh Deo, has unveiled a comprehensive healthcare reform plan aimed at improving access to quality medical treatment and streamlining hospital empanelment under various government health schemes.
As part of this reform, eligibility criteria for hospital empanelment under schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Dr. Khubchand Baghel Health Assistance Scheme, and Chief Minister’s Special Health Assistance Scheme will be revised. In urban centers like Raipur, Durg, and Bilaspur, hospitals with a minimum of 50 beds and at least two years of operation will be eligible. In rural and scheduled development blocks, hospitals with a minimum of 30 beds and at least one year of operation, as well as those with 15 beds and at least six months of operation, will qualify for empanelment. The new criteria will also be established for super-specialty hospitals.
Additionally, the government plans to implement GPS-enabled biometric systems for patients and doctors to ensure efficient treatment, quality care, and prompt payment to hospitals. Currently, there are 1567 empanelled hospitals across the state for treatment, including 549 private sector hospitals and 1018 government hospitals.
Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo emphasized strict action against hospitals refusing treatment or not adhering to prescribed treatment packages under government schemes and directed the expedited review of package rates for treatment, empanelment criteria for super-specialty hospitals, and re-evaluation of rates for reserved packages in government hospitals. The committees responsible for these tasks will operate under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Dr. Khubchand Baghel Health Assistance Scheme.
Furthermore, third-party audits for hospital payment under government schemes will be re-tendered until a finalized agency is selected, and regular audits will be conducted through Health Department doctors in the interim. The approval process for treatment packages under the Chief Minister’s Special Health Assistance Scheme will be accelerated based on recommendations from specialist doctor committees.
The reforms extend to the procurement of medical equipment in government medical colleges, with a focus on standardized specifications and timely acquisition. Similar attention will be given to the installation and construction of machines in district hospitals, community health centers, and primary health centers.
This healthcare overhaul signifies a commitment to improving healthcare access and quality for the people of Chhattisgarh and ensuring that hospitals adhere to the prescribed standards and practices under government health schemes.
