Varanasi: Offering extensive health service benefits to its teachers and employees, the Banaras Hindu University has decided to sign pacts with some private hospitals to provided treatment to the university staff on CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) rates.As per the pact the BHU staff will be able to avail health facilities at CGHS rates in selected private hospitals even outside Varanasi. An official notification regarding the same was issued on Thursday after the approval of BHU vice-chancellor Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi. The decision was taken on the recommendations of a committee constituted by the university.Earlier, the BHU staff had to pay private hospitals at their rates for medical treatment. However the reimbursement for the treatment was done by the university but as the CGHS rates, and the burden of the remaining amount was borne by the employee.The university has now decided to sign MOUs with some private hospitals in the National Capital Region, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, capitals of other states, and Varanasi, for providing medical facilities to BHU teachers and employees at CGHS rates.Initially, this arrangement will be effective for a period of three years from the date of the MoU with any hospital. The university has invited applications from private hospitals, and 40 major private hospitals have been identified for the agreement. The hospitals of the panel will be continuously updated on the official website of BHU.The MoU is likely to be signed with several hospitals by June end. Prof Chaturvedi said that the families and pensioners of the employees of BHU reside in various parts of the country which needed to be covered under the health benefit scheme.A Standard Operating Procedure has also been issued to avail the benefit of the new arrangement. Under this, beneficiaries have been classified into four groups. Existing employees and their family members, pensioners up to 70 years of age living in Varanasi and their families, pensioners above 70 years of age living in Varanasi and their families, and pensioners and families living outside Varanasi. Beneficiaries below 70 years of age living in Varanasi will require a referral from BHU for treatment, while pensioners above 70 years of age will be able to receive treatment directly without a referral. The reimbursement for the cost of tests and treatment will be determined mainly according to CGHS rates. In matters of emergency treatment, medicine reimbursement, and other cases, the university’s health scheme, CGHS, and CCS (Medical Attendance) rules will apply..
