Varanasi: Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on Wednesday signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 18 private hospitals in Varanasi to provide medical treatment facilities to its teachers and staff at CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme)-empanelled private hospitals.The MoUs were signed by registrar Rajan Srivastava and representatives of the hospitals in the presence of vice-chancellor Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi.The MoUs will remain effective for three years. Hospital empanelment will be a continuous process, and new institutions will continue to be brought on board to further expand the healthcare network. The list of all empanelled hospitals will be uploaded to the university website.Under the existing system, if university teachers, employees, pensioners or their dependents undergo treatment at private hospitals, they are eligible for reimbursement only up to the CGHS-prescribed rates, with the remaining amount borne by the beneficiaries. In many cases, these expenses are substantial and impose a financial burden on them.Under the new system, treatment at empanelled hospitals will be available at CGHS rates, relieving employees and pensioners of any additional financial burden.The vice-chancellor said the university would continue to strengthen the scheme to ensure the hassle-free availability of healthcare services for its employees.Prof. Rakesh Raman, chairman of the CGHS Implementation Committee, said the Computer Centre was already working on developing a system that would enable hospitals to digitally verify the eligibility of BHU employees and their dependents.
