In A First, Govt Decides to Open All CAPF Hospitals for Public to Aid Health Infrastructure

In a bid to make health infrastructure more accessible to all, the government is taking the unprecedented step of opening Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) hospitals to the public.

According to an official letter, under Ayushman CAPF, all hospitals must be open to the public. This will also help meet the needs of people in areas far from cities.

According to government sources, Home Minister Amit Shah recently spoke about strengthening health infrastructure in border and remote areas during a meeting with senior officials.

Now, all troops were required to announce this, and local units were asked to visit nearby villages and make people aware of the move.

The security forces were required to designate an area for the public that would not obstruct the security apparatus. Also, ad hoc camps were ordered to encourage people to visit CAPF hospitals, especially in difficult areas located mainly along the border.

Arrangements will be made to ensure security as all hospitals and other health infrastructure for the police force are located within the restricted area.

Currently, the public is not allowed to enter forced hospitals except in emergency cases, but the forces are organizing medical camps in remote areas like Ladakh, G&K and Naxal affected areas.

The decision was also taken in view of the development of the border villages. Residents of border villages often have to travel long hours and come to the city area for treatment due to the lack of health infrastructure. Although the forces are helping these populations, the health infrastructure is not fully open to them.

Officials with knowledge of the development told News18 that there are hospitals in remote areas that have a lower turnout because the troop deployment is not so high. Also, due to the change in the security system in a few states, the requirements for central forces have decreased and the infrastructure can be used by the general public.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has also requested all forces to provide feedback about Ayushman CAPF and report any problems faced by the Fakkak or their families so that the matter can be taken up with the concerned agency or ministry.

Few months ago, it was noticed that some of the hospitals that had contracted with the Ayushman CAPF Scheme were wrongly and excessively charging jaws and their families. It has been discovered that these hospitals charge directly to staff, which is illegal, and then rack up the bills with the National Health Authority (NHA).

The health insurance system, which is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Interior and the National Health Authority, is completely non-cash, and therefore, it is wrong to charge beneficiaries any amount for treatment or medical services.