It is a big convenience for Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries as Modi government has taken a major decision in view of Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, it has been receiving requests from various quarters, including senior citizen beneficiaries, to start tele-consultation services with specialist doctors in view of the current COVID-19 pandemic due to which it is not advisable for senior citizens to visit public places, particularly health care facilities.

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And now, in order to facilitate consultations with specialists by CGHS beneficiaries through virtual mode without physically visiting a healthcare facility, CGHS has started tele-consultation services w.e.f. 25.8.2020. Initially, these services will be available to beneficiaries in Delhi/NCR. The e-services are available between 9.00 am and 12 noon on all working days.

CGHS tele-consultation services are using the existing e-Sanjeevani platform of the Health Ministry. For ease of use, this platform has been linked with the ID of the beneficiaries. For availing of specialist OPD services, the beneficiaries are required to register on the platform using their mobile number after which an OTP will be generated for verification purposes. After verification, the beneficiaries can log on to the system, fill patient registration form, request for a token and upload health records (if required).

The patients will receive patient ID and token through SMS and they will also be intimated about their number in the online queue.  On their turn, a ‘call now’ button will be activated and using the same, the beneficiary concerned can initiate a video call with a specialist for consultation.  After the tele-consultation, an e-prescription will be generated. Using this, the patients can get medicines issued from their CGHS Wellness Centre.

"The new tele-consultation services of CGHS will prove to be a boon for those CGHS beneficiaries who are in need of consultation with specialists, but in the times of COVID-19 are not able to move out," Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a statement.

To begin with specialist consultation under the services will be available for the following specialities:

Medicine
Orthopaedics
Eye
ENT

"For regular OPD services each CGHS beneficiary is attached to a particular Wellness Centre (WC), although the beneficiaries can avail of OPD services at any WC anywhere in the country. For availing of consultations with specialists, CGHS beneficiaries get referred by the Medical Officers of their WCs (for senior citizens such referral from the WCs is not required)," the statement by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare added.