Demand for CGHS Wellness Center in Kangra District Raised in Parliament

Dharamshala, August 1, 2024: Rajya Sabha MP Indu Bala Goswami has called for the establishment of a CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) Wellness Center in Kangra district. Speaking in Parliament, Goswami made this demand directly to Health Minister JP Nadda.

Goswami highlighted the challenges faced by Central Government employees and their dependent family members in District Kangra, District Hamirpur, and District Chamba, who currently have to travel to Chandigarh and Shimla for CGHS treatment. Given the hilly terrain, these journeys are time-consuming and often require patients, including children, women, and the elderly, to arrange for extended stays with attendants. The difficulty of same-day travel exacerbates the burden on these individuals.

"There are more than 20 central government offices in Kangra district employing over ten thousand CGHS beneficiaries," Goswami noted. "Additionally, a significant number of army personnel, paramilitary forces, and their families reside in the district, many of whom are elderly, women, and children. In nearly every household, at least one member is serving in the armed or paramilitary forces."

Goswami further emphasized the presence of Palampur and Dharamshala cantonment areas within Kangra district, where a large number of army personnel and their families live. Establishing a CGHS Wellness Center in Kangra would greatly facilitate access to healthcare services for these residents.

In her appeal, Goswami urged the government to consider the pressing needs of the local population and direct the concerned department to establish a CGHS Wellness Center in Kangra district. "Given the facts presented, I request the government to kindly direct the concerned department to build a CGHS Wellness Center in Kangra district," she stated.