CGHS facility for disability clarified

Eligibility of permanently disabled son of a Central Government Health Service

(CGHS) beneficiary to avail CGHS facility has been clarified with respect to schizophrenia as a disability. It is clarified that schizophrenia is a case of mental disorder and falls within the definition of disability as defined in Section 2 (i) of The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (No.1 of 1996) and is covered by the terms `mental retardation' and `mental illness'. It has, therefore, been decided that sons of CGHS beneficiaries suffering from 40 per cent or more of schizophrenia will be entitled to avail CGHS facility even after attaining the age of 25 years, provided they are financially dependent on and residing with the CGHS beneficiary. For this purpose, the CGHS beneficiary will furnish to the CGHS the disability certificate issued by the appropriate authority to the effect that the disabled person is still suffering from a disability which is more than 40 per cent, after every five years. Details are available in the Department of Health and Family Welfare OM No. 4 – 24/96- C&P/CGHS (P) dated May 26, 2011.