Latest news with #EmployeesHealthScheme
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Government urged to ensure effective implementation of Employees Health Scheme
Leaders of Andhra Pradesh Joint Action Committee (JAC) Amaravati have urged the government to ensure effective implementation of the Employees Health Scheme (EHS) — launched a decade ago to cater to the medical needs of the government employees, teachers and pensioners in the State. A delegation of the JAC met Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand on Thursday and said the health cards given under the scheme were being honoured only for select illnesses in select hospitals, while the promised 'cashless treatment' was not being implemented. Despite monthly contributions which ran into crores of rupees, employees were forced to spend money from their pockets for major illnesses, they said. To meet their medical expenses, employees were forced to opt for private loans running into lakhs of rupees and falling into huge debt traps, they added. JAC chairman Bopparaju Srinivasulu and secretary general P. Damodara Rao said the empaneled hospitals offered treatment only for the procedures that were financially beneficial to them and even after submitting the reimbursement claims, the employees were paid only a fraction of the claimed amounts. The JAC leaders said issues like the network hospitals denying treatment to the employees due to accumulation of huge pending bills, absence of proper tariff-based billing system for recognised treatments and surgeries, lack of annual price escalation in line with consumer price index and outdated and unreviewed treatment packages needed to be addressed immediately. The network hospitals association continues to issue warnings on its intention to stop the services on account of non-payment of the bills, leaving the employees in the lurch and defeating the purpose of cashless medical treatment under EHS, they said and pointed out that a steering committee meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary in August, 2023, and a management committee meeting held by the Medical Services Trust in March, 2024 had failed to yield any desired result. There is no transparency or information on whether the agreed resolution was implemented, they said, pointing out that hospitals had started refusing EHS cards, forcing a major chunk of the employees, especially pensioners, to borrow money at high interest rates for treatment. They demanded immediate steps to ensure that all the network hospitals provide all types of free medical services under the EHS scheme, provision of annual health check-ups for employees, pensioners and their families, out-patient services for chronic diseases, free supply of generic medicines, streamlining of the medical reimbursement process, issue of smart health cards, revision of the health package rates and increase in the reimbursement ceiling for all medial procedures.
Hans India
28-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
RTC Employees Union demands filling of vacant posts
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) recognised union the Employees Union has demanded the government to immediately implement 12th PRC recommendations and give promotions. The union demanded the government to release a notification to fill the posts lying vacant for a long time in RTC. The EU Vijayawada zone executive committee meeting was held at the union office on Sunday, presided over by zonal president MS Rao. The chief guest and Employees Union State president Palisetty Damodara Rao has said there is no recruitment in APSRTC for the last 12 years except for compassionate appointments. He said around 11,000 posts are lying vacant in APSRTC in various categories and demanded the government to give permission to the RTC to fill these posts. He also demanded immediate implementation of 12th PRC recommendations, release the pending DA and other allowances, and take steps for the job security to the employees. Damodara Rao said that during TDP's rule, a circular was given with No 01/2019 for job security to the State, but this circular is not implemented. Employees Union deputy general secretary MD Prasad has said RTC employees are not able to get the benefits of Employees Health Scheme. He said RTC employees used to avail medical facilities in referral hospitals before the merger with the government and now unable to avail the medical facilities. Prasad said around 350 RTC employees are dying every year and stressed the need to get health scheme under the EHS. Employees Union State secretary C Nabi Rasul said employees are working without job security for the past few years due to non-implementation of 01/2019 circular. He demanded the senior officials to implement the circular to help RTC employees. He said around 8,000 retired employees are not able to get the higher pension due to non-co-operation of EPF Commissionerate office. Employees Union State treasurer DA Siddiq, State president M Sankara Rao and other demanded the government to immediately release the pending DA arrears, provide furniture to the RTC offices, new computers, printers and stationery materials. The union leaders discussed the pending problems and decided to continue the struggle till their demands are conceded by the government and the RTC management.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Uro Laser Technology Unit launched at Aragonda Apollo Hospitals
Apollo Hospitals in Aragonda on Wednesday launched an advanced 'Uro Laser Technology Unit' for enhanced diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones and various nephrological conditions. 'The facility uses advanced laser technology to offer minimally invasive and highly effective solutions for urological issues,' said Dr. H.S. Shankar of the Apollo Hospitals at the launch programme, highlighting the hospital's commitment to delivering world-class healthcare to rural communities. 'This technology allows for precision treatment with faster recovery times. The services will also be available under government-supported schemes such as Arogyasri and the Employees Health Scheme (EHS), ensuring broader access to quality care,' he said.
