Major boost for central staff: CGHS wellness centre approved for Tirupati
The development follows a letter written by Tirupati MP Dr Maddila Gurumoorthy to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHF) on April 4, seeking the establishment of a CGHS centre in the city to cater the needs of Rayalaseema region. In response, the Ministry issued an official communication confirming that the central government has approved 22 new CGHS wellness centres across the country, including one in Tirupati. This move is expected to significantly improve access to quality healthcare for central government employees and pensioners in the region.
The Ministry further stated that required permissions for staff appointments have already been secured from the Department of Personnel and Training. A proposal for necessary funding has been submitted to the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance. Though additional clarifications have been sought, the integration process is underway, and the Ministry is taking proactive steps to expedite the centre's operationalisation. Additional Secretary of MoHF Roli Singh extended congratulations to MP Gurumoorthy for his consistent efforts in this direction.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Gurumoorthy highlighted that nearly 15,000 central government employees, pensioners, and their families in Tirupati and surrounding areas will benefit from the new wellness centre. Until now, beneficiaries had to travel more than 200 kilometres to the nearest CGHS centre in Nellore, a major challenge, especially during medical emergencies.
The CGHS, launched in 1954, currently serves over 15 lakh cardholders and 43 lakh beneficiaries across India through a network of wellness centres, polyclinics, and diagnostic labs. Andhra Pradesh has more than 24,000 cardholders and 57,000 beneficiaries. In Tirupati alone, over 13,000 individuals stand to gain from the new facility, which will offer OPD services, cashless inpatient care at empanelled hospitals, diagnostics, and specialist consultations through referrals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
7 minutes ago
- Time of India
37 lakh dog bites in a year: Karti Chidambaram raises alarm about dangerous surge, says we can't ignore this any more
Karti Chidambaram raises concerns about increasing stray dog menace in India. Over 37 lakh dog bite cases reported in 2024. The Centre provides financial aid for anti-rabies vaccines. Karnataka and Kerala witness a surge in cases. Bengaluru plans to feed stray dogs for easier sterilisation. Kerala to launch sterilisation units and awareness campaigns. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Tuesday voiced serious concern about the escalating threat posed by stray dogs across India, following alarming data shared by the Centre in Parliament. According to a written reply by Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S P Singh Baghel, over 37.17 lakh dog bite cases were reported across the country in 2024, along with 54 suspected human rabies the issue on X (formerly Twitter), Chidambaram, the Lok Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga constituency, said, 'We can't ignore this any more! #Streetdogs.'The data, collected by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the National Rabies Control Program, reveals a concerning trend in public health. The minister added that financial assistance is being provided to states and union territories under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme for procuring anti-rabies vaccines, which includes doses for stray rabies being completely preventable with prompt and full post-exposure prophylaxis, India continues to account for 36% of global rabies deaths, amounting to an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 fatalities annually, with children under the age of 15 being the most vulnerable. The Centre has set an ambitious target to eliminate rabies by like Karnataka and Kerala have witnessed significant spikes in dog bite cases. Karnataka alone reported over 2.3 lakh incidents and 19 rabies deaths in the past six months, while the total number of cases for the year 2024 stands at 3.6 lakh dog bites and 42 in Bengaluru, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has unveiled a Rs 2.88 crore plan to feed approximately 4,000 stray dogs. The civic body stated that feeding helps in easier capture of dogs for sterilisation and vaccination, enhancing the success of animal birth control and anti-rabies is also taking aggressive steps to address the crisis. The state government plans to launch mobile sterilisation units across 152 blocks and has approved euthanasia of severely ill stray animals, as announced by Local Self-Government Minister M B four children in Kerala have succumbed to dog bites since April this year despite receiving the anti-rabies vaccine , underscoring the gravity of the situation. The minister informed that 158 trained personnel from the Animal Husbandry Department have been deployed for catching stray the Kerala Health and Education Departments are set to launch a statewide awareness campaign in government and aided schools starting June 30, aiming to educate children and communities about rabies prevention and safety around stray dog bite cases surge and rabies continues to pose a deadly threat, calls for immediate and coordinated action across states have grown louder, with lawmakers and citizens urging effective policy, awareness, and infrastructure to tackle the stray dog menace.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
"Can't Ignore": Karti Chidambaram As Over 3 Lakh Dog Bites Reported In 2024
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Tuesday expressed concerns over the growing health and safety concerns posed by stray dogs in the country as the Centre informed Parliament that over 37 lakh cases of dog bites were reported last year. "We can't ignore this any more! #Streetdogs," the Lok Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga constituency said in a post on X. In a written reply in the Lower House, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S P Singh Baghel said the total dog bite cases in 2024 stood at 37,17,336 while the total 'suspected human rabies deaths' were 54. The minister said the data is collected from states/Union Territories under the National Rabies Control Program by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). We can't ignore this any more! #Streetdogs — Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) July 22, 2025 "The Department provides financial support under the Assistance to State for Control of Animal Diseases component of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme for procurement of anti-rabies vaccines for animals, including stray dogs," the written reply said. Rabies remains a significant public health challenge in India, accounting for 36% of global rabies deaths and causing an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 fatalities annually, with a disproportionate impact on children under 15. Despite these alarming statistics, rabies deaths are entirely preventable with prompt and complete post-exposure prophylaxis. The Centre is aiming to eliminate rabies by 2030. In the past six months, Karnataka has recorded more than 2.3 lakh dog bite cases and 19 rabies deaths, indicating a sharp increase compared to the corresponding period last year, according to official data released on Sunday. In all of 2024, the state reported 3.6 lakh dog bite cases and 42 rabies deaths. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) - Bengaluru's civic body - shared details of its Rs 2.88 crore plan to feed about 4,000 street dogs in the city and said it has invited a tender in this regard after reviewing the pros and cons of the initiative. Feeding makes it easier to catch the dogs for sterilisation and vaccination. This, in turn, boosts the effectiveness of animal birth control and anti-rabies vaccination campaigns, the civic body said. Kerala is planning to launch a crackdown on stray dogs by rolling out mobile sterilisation units in 152 blocks and permitting the euthanasia of seriously ill animals, Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh said last week. Since April this year, four children from various parts of the state have died after being bitten by stray dogs, despite receiving the anti-rabies vaccine. According to Mr Rajesh, 158 trained personnel from the Animal Husbandry Department are currently available for catching stray dogs. The Kerala Health and Education departments are together planning to organise an awareness programme against rabies in government and aided schools in the state from June 30.
United News of India
15 hours ago
- United News of India
National mission uncovers 18.85 lakh sickle cell cases
New Delhi, July 22 (UNI) The ongoing ambitious National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission has revealed a significant public health challenge, with more than 18.85 lakh individuals identified as either suffering from Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) or carrying the trait, according to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry today. As of now, six crore individuals have been screened against a target of seven crore. Sickle cell disease — also called sickle cell anemia — is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin, the major protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. Of those screened, 2.15 lakh individuals have been diagnosed with the disease, and 16.7 lakh have been identified as carriers. Health experts have flagged the numbers as concerning, especially given the chronic nature of the illness and the burden it places on affected tribal populations. A total of 2.6 crore health cards have been distributed by states to facilitate continued monitoring and support, as per the statement by the Ministry. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand have reported remarkable progress in meeting their screening targets. However, the highest number of diagnosed cases has emerged from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat — indicating high disease prevalence in these regions. Screening is being carried out using validated Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) kits that allow for rapid and confirmatory diagnosis. A centralised digital dashboard and SCD portal have been established to consolidate data and improve coordination among states, says the statement. The Mission, inaugurated on July 1, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, seeks to eliminate sickle cell anemia by 2047. It envisions universal screening of seven crore individuals aged 0–40 years in tribal and high-burden districts by FY 2025–26, supported by robust awareness campaigns and counselling services. Health authorities have underscored the need for intensified outreach, sustained counselling, and follow-up mechanisms for those diagnosed. The large number of affected individuals now identified underscores both the scale of the challenge and the urgency of addressing it through integrated national and state-level health systems. UNI AJ SSP
