Hyderabad, July 17 (RAHNUMA): The Telangana government on Friday launched the New Employees Health Scheme (NEHS) with the objective of providing improved, transparent and cashless healthcare services to government employees, pensioners and their family members.
The scheme was formally launched by Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha, along with Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, at a programme held at Dr B.R. Ambedkar Secretariat in Hyderabad.
On the occasion, the Employees Health Care Trust (EHCT) Trust Deed was unveiled. The Health Minister also launched the NEHS web portal, released downloadable digital health cards, and distributed the cards to representatives of employees’ associations.
Addressing the gathering, Damodar Rajanarsimha said the new scheme had been designed under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, with the support of Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, after taking into consideration the suggestions and concerns of government employees and pensioners. He said the scheme aims to provide a more efficient, sustainable and transparent healthcare system.
The Minister said the scheme would provide health security to 17,88,336 beneficiaries, including 4,38,594 government employees, 3,61,955 pensioners, and nearly 9.88 lakh family members.
He said the State government would contribute an amount equal to the contributions made by employees and pensioners, and assured that every rupee collected would be utilised exclusively for implementing the Employees Health Scheme.
“Cashless medical treatment will be available at 886 private hospitals and 114 government hospitals across the State,” he said.
The Minister said the scheme incorporates 1,816 medical and surgical treatment packages in line with the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). This, he said, would improve access to quality healthcare while significantly increasing the participation of corporate hospitals in the scheme.
“Employees and pensioners will be able to download their digital health cards through the NEHS web portal. The entire process, from pre-authorisation to claim settlement, will be handled through a fully digital platform,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare, the Minister said wellness centres would play a crucial role in safeguarding the health of employees. At present, 12 wellness centres are providing outpatient services to around 1,800 patients daily.
Rajanarsimha further announced that the government would soon establish 24 additional wellness centres in the 24 districts that currently do not have such facilities, thereby expanding access to healthcare services across the State.
The Minister added that every wellness centre would be linked to a Government General Hospital, enabling specialist and super-specialist doctors from those hospitals to provide services through the wellness centres.
