Centre puts in abeyance order linking CGHS with ABHA

In an official memorandum dated June 25, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced that the linking of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) has been kept in abeyance until further notice. The linkage of the CGHS Beneficiary ID with the ABHA ID has been made voluntary or optional until then.

Previously, in a directive, the MoHFW had mandated the linking of the CGHS ID with the ABHA ID for all beneficiaries. The order was scheduled to come into force from April 1, 2024. However, it was later extended for four months starting from June 30.

The CGHS, established in 1954, aims to provide comprehensive healthcare to Central Government employees, pensioners, and their families. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced in December that the scheme will soon expand its coverage from 80 to 100 cities.

ABHA is a unique health ID based solely on Aadhaar. The need for ABHA (a separate health ID) arose because Aadhaar cannot be saved or stored on any system without implementing an Aadhaar vault and other security systems. CNBCTV18