Kanpur: A seven-member delegation of the Pensioners Forum, led by General Secretary Anand Awasthi, met the Additional Director of CGHS at Ratanlal Nagar in Kanpur on September 9. The delegation discussed several issues related to CGHS services and problems faced by pensioners and other beneficiaries.

One of the main issues discussed was the pending installation of a lift at the CGHS office. The Additional Director said that the budget for the lift has been approved by the Director's Office. The CGHS office has also written to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to start the tender process. Once the funds are received from the Director's Office, they will be sent to CPWD, after which the tender process and work will begin.

The delegation also raised the issue of the CGHS dispensary at Khapra Mohal. It was informed that the dispensary would be shifted to a government building once a suitable place is available. Anand Awasthi said efforts were being made to get a government building near Pandit Hotel. A letter has also been sent to the Commandant, COD, in this regard.

The meeting also included a discussion on the memorandum issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on September 19, 2026. The Additional Director said a board would soon be formed to deal with the cases related to the memorandum. The delegation was also told that Mr Gupta should submit an application along with his complete file in Room No. 1 for necessary action regarding his son's treatment.

The issue of appointments for dependents of deceased employees was also discussed. The Additional Director said that action was being taken in this matter.

The forum also raised concerns about beneficiaries receiving substitute medicines instead of the branded medicines prescribed by doctors. The Additional Director asked the forum to provide the names of pharmacists giving substitute medicines. Anand Awasthi said that a circular had already been issued stating that beneficiaries should be given the medicines prescribed by the doctor. The Additional Director said that if any pharmacist violates the instructions, a written complaint should be submitted and action would be taken.

Hospital bill deductions were another major issue discussed during the meeting. The Additional Director explained that hospital bills are sent by the Director's Office to doctors across India for checking. After the bills are cleared, they are sent to the local office for payment, and the Director's Office is informed for release of the amount.

The forum did not agree with the explanation and said it would raise the matter with the Secretary of the Health Department, Government of India. Anand Awasthi said hospitals should be informed about the reason for any deduction made from their bills. He said a lack of information about deductions is creating dissatisfaction among hospitals and could indirectly affect beneficiaries if hospitals face problems in receiving the proper payment for treatment.

The meeting was attended by Anand Awasthi, Satya Narayan, H N Tiwari, Subhash Bhatia, A S Rathore, A K Nigam and Ashok Awasthi.