Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Announces New CGHS Wellness Centre for Sambalpur
In a significant development for healthcare infrastructure in Odisha, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Sunday that a Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) wellness centre will be established in Sambalpur very soon. The announcement was made through an official press statement, highlighting the government's commitment to improving medical facilities for central government personnel in the region.
Addressing a Longstanding Need
Pradhan, who represents Sambalpur as its Member of Parliament, expressed profound gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda for approving this crucial initiative. He emphasized that the new wellness centre would substantially ease the lives of thousands of central government employees and pensioners residing in and around Sambalpur.
The need for this facility was formally highlighted by Pradhan in a letter to Health Minister Nadda on September 8 last year. In his correspondence, Pradhan detailed the significant presence of central government offices in Sambalpur, including those of BSNL, India Post, the Income Tax Department, East Coast Railway, the Central Excise Department, a CRPF Group Centre, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), and Kendriya Vidyalaya.
"Many working employees and retired pensioners reside there," Pradhan's letter stated. "Due to the lack of this facility, they travel nearly 300 kilometers to Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, or Berhampur for medical treatment, which is particularly troublesome for elderly pensioners."
Approvals and Operational Details
In a positive response to this appeal, Health Minister Nadda informed Pradhan via letter that all necessary approvals for the CGHS centre in Sambalpur have been granted. The Ministry of Finance has approved the Health Ministry's proposal concerning the staffing and related operational requirements for the new facility.
The sanctioned positions for the wellness centre include:
- Medical Officers
- Nursing Officers
- Pharmacist
- Junior Health Administrative Assistant
Until the Sambalpur centre becomes fully operational, existing provisions will remain in place. Pensioners can continue to avail facilities from the nearest functional CGHS centre, while working employees will maintain their medical benefits under the Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules.
Expanding Healthcare Access in Odisha
This new centre marks an important expansion of the CGHS network in Odisha. Currently, the state has five CGHS wellness centres located in Bhubaneswar, with one additional centre each in Cuttack and Berhampur. The addition of the Sambalpur facility is expected to decentralize access and reduce the burden on these existing centres, while providing much-needed localized healthcare services.
The establishment of the CGHS wellness centre in Sambalpur is poised to end the arduous long-distance travel currently undertaken by beneficiaries for routine and specialized medical care. This move aligns with broader governmental efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility and infrastructure across the country, particularly for its serving and retired personnel.
