ECHS: Let it be a Healthy Network rather than a Cobweb

Few years back as a serving officer I had written “ECHS – A Failed Concept” as a Dy Cdr in J&K after interacting with a cross section of ESM in the hill cum border districts of J&K and HP. Now I write as an ESM Veteran. Aim is to sensitize the system towards improvement and move forward ‘Onwards & Upwards’ and NOT – Backwards & Downwards.

The feedback expressed is after my first ‘Novice’ visit to ECHS BH Delhi Cantt– Malice towards None & All. The evolved system! Following suggestions are put forth towards streamlining the system towards efficiency and making ‘Veteran Friendly’:

Shuttling within the ECHS. Need for further decentralization and not make the patient a shuttle cock between various rooms/ counters.

Referal Powers. Empower the ECHS doctor and leave the choice to the patient of the location irrespective where the patient has reported. Eg referral powers now lie with ECHS BH/RR or Both after numerous bouts of shuttling.

Addl ECHS for Dwarka. This will help in decongesting ECHS BH Or shift ECHS Palam to Dwarka. Infact ECHS Palam should have been co-located with one of the Gurgaon AWHO Societies.

Reporting directly to Empanelled Hospitals. Need to work out on a system allowing the veteran to report to nearest Empanelled Hosp to save travelling time, distance, expenses and inconvenience to the sick veteran.

Extending the Arm of Medicare. ECHS launch had aimed at spread and enhance the reach near door steps. Instead at place too much of centralization has possibly failed. (Eg Chamba (HP) ECHS shifted to Bakloh (HP) mil stn where a MH exists).

Physiotherapy. I am told only BH is auth. Is it possible for the BH Physiotherapy Centre singularly take the load of serving and ESM which is ever increasing?

What’s in a Name! Smart Card Name: click here to review status. Surname first has changed the life long name eg ‘Sharma Jung Bahadur’ to ‘SJ Bahadur’ instead of ‘JB Sharma’ Could be an error I'm not too sure! Also requested to ensure Veterans rank is used and NOT Mr.

My ‘Novice’ experience of shuttling within the ECHS web- Self Explanatory–
Star Imagery Lab TILAKNAGAR->R&R->DENTAL
Approval Authy out of Stn!?
DENTIST?->ECHS->BH->RXN->DENTAL CENTRE->GK???
Star Imagery Lab TILAKNAGAR->repeat for four days!!!!

Wonder how much a veteran PBOR will spend/shuttle and how many days will he take especially if he is genuinely sick! ‘Veteran’s desire to get treated are literally made more sick encountering the ECHS laid down bureaucratic Hurdles’ A patient on report my signal blog.

Attn: Authorities may like to surf the blog for suggestions to improve ECHS functioning click here. For more click older posts at the bottom of the page.

Request do not treat it as a complaint rather consider it as constructive suggestions and genuine feedback and let the ‘Healthy Team of ECHS’ resolve issues and arrest the downward satisfaction level which is sliding down at an alarming rate. Fresh feed back/ suggestions may kindly be obtained from senior serving AMC General Officers, retired Cols & below and cross-section of PBOR across the country. ‘Let the ECHS be a healthy facilitating network and not a cobweb’.

Tailpiece
Military Leadership - Internal Health A Point of View:
“Army has very strong traditions, core values... We can fight well if our Internal Health is good “ says COAS Gen VK Singh.
The ECHS health needs to be tuned upwards and not downwards!
Col RC Patial, SM (Retd)