Dear Veterans,
Directorate of Personal Services, Air HQ, has brought handbook incorporating every facet of the ECHS. It is an aide memoir for the veterans.
Yash Pal Diwan
HAND BOOK ON EX-SERVICEMEN CONTRIBUTORY HEALTH SCHEME: click here
Showing posts with label ECHS Newsletter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ECHS Newsletter. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
ECHS Handbook: Demystifies Itself
Dear Veterans,
Directorate of Personal Services, Air HQ, has brought handbook incorporating every facet of the ECHS. It is an aide memoir for the veterans.
Yash Pal Diwan
HAND BOOK ON EX-SERVICEMEN CONTRIBUTORY HEALTH SCHEME: click here
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Poor Quality Hearing Aids- Approved Vendors Roam RR Corridors
ECHS AND HEARING AIDS
Dear Sirs,
This perhaps it is the third time that I am addressing the mail to IESM/ECHS. There has never been a reaction.I have met Col Dogra every month to find out if there is any firm policy on the hearing aid vendors. Once I met the Regional Director, who had no clear answer.
The case is simple. I am hard of hearing as far as higher frequencies are concerned. Also, listening in a hall is difficult.
RR Specialits recommended Digital hearing aid, in 2006. By 2007 I was tired of being offered COSTLY aids by mr Anand of Basrurkar market. The pieces offered by him were without any volume control. Cost, such as Rs 50000/- did not impress me.
Next I was directed to Vasant Vihar Optique. There too, COSTLY and even TWO pieces were offered to me but without a volume control. I did not take any.
Oi/c ECHS Lodi tells me that the above are the only vendors on the approved list. In Delhi we have ALPS, who offered a good and cheaper Aid to me but would not deal through ECHS. Same goes for the Hearing Aid shop in Noida, Chandigarh and Amritsar.
There is a need to review the policy on the hearing aids. More vendors, and if necessary some from out stations have also to be brought in the approved list. There has to be flexibility in the concept of PARENT Clinic, in this case.
I have said it earlier and am repeating it again:
I am not yet helpless.
There is a strong hold of two approved vendors in RR. Their staff is even seen moving around in the Eye and Throat Department.
Some of my friends fell in for COSTLY Aids, to keep them in the box, most of the time
With regards,
Maj Gen Satish Chandra(Retd)
Related Reading
CBI alleges its men were obstructed at military hospital
Dear Sirs,
This perhaps it is the third time that I am addressing the mail to IESM/ECHS. There has never been a reaction.I have met Col Dogra every month to find out if there is any firm policy on the hearing aid vendors. Once I met the Regional Director, who had no clear answer.
The case is simple. I am hard of hearing as far as higher frequencies are concerned. Also, listening in a hall is difficult.
RR Specialits recommended Digital hearing aid, in 2006. By 2007 I was tired of being offered COSTLY aids by mr Anand of Basrurkar market. The pieces offered by him were without any volume control. Cost, such as Rs 50000/- did not impress me.
Next I was directed to Vasant Vihar Optique. There too, COSTLY and even TWO pieces were offered to me but without a volume control. I did not take any.
Oi/c ECHS Lodi tells me that the above are the only vendors on the approved list. In Delhi we have ALPS, who offered a good and cheaper Aid to me but would not deal through ECHS. Same goes for the Hearing Aid shop in Noida, Chandigarh and Amritsar.
There is a need to review the policy on the hearing aids. More vendors, and if necessary some from out stations have also to be brought in the approved list. There has to be flexibility in the concept of PARENT Clinic, in this case.
I have said it earlier and am repeating it again:
With regards,
Maj Gen Satish Chandra(Retd)
Related Reading
CBI alleges its men were obstructed at military hospital
Thursday, October 22, 2009
ECHS: News, Views and Updates
Additional Polyclinics
It is learnt that ECHS plans to have 197 additional Polyclinics as part of their next expansion plan. While the time frame for this is not known, a list of the Polyclinics planned is linked for your information-click me.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi
Coordinator,
IESM ECHS Division,
IESM ECHS Division Feed Back to MD ECHS
The Feedback sent to MD ECHS is here- click me for your information please. This may please be read in conjunction with the following already published.
Road Map for the ECHS Cell.
ECHS Concept Paper
Our efforts at improving ECHS services is a Joint Venture between the ECHS and us Veterans. It is hoped that even as we expect a positive thrust from the ECHS hierarchy, we on our part will get on and see how best we can make our healthcare facilities.
RLC and PLC members are requested to now get actively involved in local issues in consultation with the ECHS representatives. Thanks.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi,
IESM ECHS Division
It is learnt that ECHS plans to have 197 additional Polyclinics as part of their next expansion plan. While the time frame for this is not known, a list of the Polyclinics planned is linked for your information-click me.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi
Coordinator,
IESM ECHS Division,
IESM ECHS Division Feed Back to MD ECHS
The Feedback sent to MD ECHS is here- click me for your information please. This may please be read in conjunction with the following already published.
Our efforts at improving ECHS services is a Joint Venture between the ECHS and us Veterans. It is hoped that even as we expect a positive thrust from the ECHS hierarchy, we on our part will get on and see how best we can make our healthcare facilities.
RLC and PLC members are requested to now get actively involved in local issues in consultation with the ECHS representatives. Thanks.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi,
IESM ECHS Division
Sunday, October 18, 2009
ECHS: Reduce visits to Polyclinics
Tips to Keep Fit and Reduce Anxiety and Visits to Polyclinics
Our age is catching up and many are battling adverse health versus longevity. Here are some tips which will brighten up your future and open up new vistas/ avenues to maintain one's health in ship shape! A sound body in a sharp mind.
Choosing a Healthy Lifestyle
You may ask yourself, "How do I begin to improve my health habits?" A good way to start is to set small goals instead of large ones that you won't be able to meet. For example, instead of setting a goal of losing 5 Kgs in the next year, set some smaller goals for eating better and being more active. You may decide to trade your morning dosa and chutney or channa butara for a bowl of cereal or start taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work.
The following topics enumerated below have been delineated here click me
01. Health risk factors
02. Body Mass Index
03. Waist to hip Ratio
04. Blood Pressure classification chart
05. High Cholesterol related to heart attacks
06. Diabetes
07. Osteoporosis due to old age
08. Eating Right
09. Keeping Active
10. Guide to Physical Activity
11. Basal Metabolic Rate and total calorie requirement
12. How many calories does your body require?
13. Head to Toe examination
14. Documentation
Our age is catching up and many are battling adverse health versus longevity. Here are some tips which will brighten up your future and open up new vistas/ avenues to maintain one's health in ship shape! A sound body in a sharp mind.
Choosing a Healthy Lifestyle
You may ask yourself, "How do I begin to improve my health habits?" A good way to start is to set small goals instead of large ones that you won't be able to meet. For example, instead of setting a goal of losing 5 Kgs in the next year, set some smaller goals for eating better and being more active. You may decide to trade your morning dosa and chutney or channa butara for a bowl of cereal or start taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work.
The following topics enumerated below have been delineated here click me
01. Health risk factors
02. Body Mass Index
03. Waist to hip Ratio
04. Blood Pressure classification chart
05. High Cholesterol related to heart attacks
06. Diabetes
07. Osteoporosis due to old age
08. Eating Right
09. Keeping Active
10. Guide to Physical Activity
11. Basal Metabolic Rate and total calorie requirement
12. How many calories does your body require?
13. Head to Toe examination
14. Documentation
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
ECHS: Readers Responses
Dear Brig Kuthiala,
Please accept heartiest congratulations on achieving the impossible- to get the Govt/ MOD to backtrack on their own orders!
As first MD ECHS, and the one who raised the organisation, and wrote the initial set of instructions, I was deeply disappointed when Army HQs (with Dus as Consultant ECHS) agreed to change of this most important clause of referral procedure. In a vain attempt we had even gone to an ex-Raksha Mantri to raise issues of ECHS in Parliament. It was done but with little success.
My philosophy for the ECHS was "patient first - procedures later". Accordingly the initial ECHS instructions allowed the ECHS member to choose direct referral to a hospital of choice or to an MH. Pithy GOI officials in MOD, abetted by the Consultant, changed this to "only referral through MH", thereby causing immense bottle necks at inconvenience to old pensioners who were made to shuttle back and forth.
I recall my first argument with the FA (DS)- Ms- (I forget her name, she was a spinster)- who said MH capacity would not be gainfully utilised. I reminded her that the very purpose of creating the ECHS was to have a parallel medical scheme, because it was the opinion then that MHs were under considerable load, and could not look after existing men in uniform. And here she was suggesting just the opposite. Second argument I gave was that ECHS is meant to give that "second Chance" to pensioners who were not spring chickens by any stretch of imagination, and every second mattered in timely aid. So I had suggested the principle of "save yourself first, and we will take care of the rules later". Despite reluctance much of this was accepted.
Third argument by her was - what if the system is misused? I flatly told her that people don't rush to specialist or other hospitals for fun - they do so when they are extremely sick - so let's be charitable. This was not the CGHS I said, but disciplined soldiers that were exercising their right. To check misuse, the original charter had thought of an Ombudsman and a Vigilance system - I had vowed to keep the system clean, to the extent possible.
You can do nothing when your own colleagues and men in uniform abdicate their responsibility and sing to the Govts tune for "re-employment" post retirement. Let me be very brutally frank - we are our worst enemies, and bureaucrats take advantage of that.
So my admiration and compliments to you.
Maj Gen (Retd) KULDIP SINDHU
From: Bankim Sutaria
Subject: PENSION CELL
Date: Wednesday, 12 August, 2009, 4:38 PM
I am very happy to learn about the pension cell which IESM has started. It is good to learn about the work being done by various ESM.
Our organisation in Gujarat has been running a pension cell for last couple of years. Specially for PBORS. With our efforts the number of PBOR has been benefited. With our efforts in last couple of years they have received nothing less than 2-2.5 CRORES of rupees as arrears. The latest is a wife of a Lt.Col.Patel who received Rs.14 lacs ( Fourteen lacs) as arrears before the change of pay band. Add this than it will be 15.5 lacs.
We can offer our service. Our observation is that in remote areas and in states where population of ESM is thin large number of PBOR are not receiving proper pension. When it comes to our notice we work out the difference for every six months. And give the details to pension paying authority. And if required take up the case with highest authority.
Sqn Ldr Bankim Sutaria (Retd Air warrior)
Please accept heartiest congratulations on achieving the impossible- to get the Govt/ MOD to backtrack on their own orders!
As first MD ECHS, and the one who raised the organisation, and wrote the initial set of instructions, I was deeply disappointed when Army HQs (with Dus as Consultant ECHS) agreed to change of this most important clause of referral procedure. In a vain attempt we had even gone to an ex-Raksha Mantri to raise issues of ECHS in Parliament. It was done but with little success.
My philosophy for the ECHS was "patient first - procedures later". Accordingly the initial ECHS instructions allowed the ECHS member to choose direct referral to a hospital of choice or to an MH. Pithy GOI officials in MOD, abetted by the Consultant, changed this to "only referral through MH", thereby causing immense bottle necks at inconvenience to old pensioners who were made to shuttle back and forth.
I recall my first argument with the FA (DS)- Ms- (I forget her name, she was a spinster)- who said MH capacity would not be gainfully utilised. I reminded her that the very purpose of creating the ECHS was to have a parallel medical scheme, because it was the opinion then that MHs were under considerable load, and could not look after existing men in uniform. And here she was suggesting just the opposite. Second argument I gave was that ECHS is meant to give that "second Chance" to pensioners who were not spring chickens by any stretch of imagination, and every second mattered in timely aid. So I had suggested the principle of "save yourself first, and we will take care of the rules later". Despite reluctance much of this was accepted.
Third argument by her was - what if the system is misused? I flatly told her that people don't rush to specialist or other hospitals for fun - they do so when they are extremely sick - so let's be charitable. This was not the CGHS I said, but disciplined soldiers that were exercising their right. To check misuse, the original charter had thought of an Ombudsman and a Vigilance system - I had vowed to keep the system clean, to the extent possible.
You can do nothing when your own colleagues and men in uniform abdicate their responsibility and sing to the Govts tune for "re-employment" post retirement. Let me be very brutally frank - we are our worst enemies, and bureaucrats take advantage of that.
So my admiration and compliments to you.
Maj Gen (Retd) KULDIP SINDHU
From: Bankim Sutaria
Subject: PENSION CELL
Date: Wednesday, 12 August, 2009, 4:38 PM
I am very happy to learn about the pension cell which IESM has started. It is good to learn about the work being done by various ESM.
Our organisation in Gujarat has been running a pension cell for last couple of years. Specially for PBORS. With our efforts the number of PBOR has been benefited. With our efforts in last couple of years they have received nothing less than 2-2.5 CRORES of rupees as arrears. The latest is a wife of a Lt.Col.Patel who received Rs.14 lacs ( Fourteen lacs) as arrears before the change of pay band. Add this than it will be 15.5 lacs.
We can offer our service. Our observation is that in remote areas and in states where population of ESM is thin large number of PBOR are not receiving proper pension. When it comes to our notice we work out the difference for every six months. And give the details to pension paying authority. And if required take up the case with highest authority.
Sqn Ldr Bankim Sutaria (Retd Air warrior)
Sunday, August 9, 2009
ECHS: Teething problems being weaned
05 Jul 2009
A few steps that are being taken or have been taken by the ECHS to improve the service provided to Veterans need to be promulgated for the information of all.
The salary of all employees contracted in Polyclinics has been increased by up to 50 %. This includes OIC Polyclinic, Drs etc. This will result in employment of better personnel and should also reduce the incidence of employees leaving for greener pastures.
The earlier restriction on referring NCR veterans to empanelled hospitals in Delhi has been removed. Veterans in Noida for e.g. can now be referred to any other empanelled hospital within the NCR and vice versa. If this problem is being faced by veterans in other stations please do press the issue with the MD Echs through your Polyclinic or write directly to– HQ ECHS at– mdecshs at bol.net.in
The earlier proposal to shift the Noida polyclinic to Sec 52 has been shelved. The proposal now being actively considered is to shift the AWHO office and the MI Room for serving personnel to some other area, or to have a small section separately for serving personnel within the enlarged ECHS polyclinic. During my interaction with The Dy MD ECHS I had stated that shifting the MI room would not be fair to the serving personnel and should not be attempted. In fact I had stated that at no time should veterans ever be provided facilities at the expense of our colleagues in Service. Shifting the AWHO office was the obvious answer.
As earlier mentioned Veterans can now go to the following hospitals of repute in Delhi viz Gangaram, Apollo and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital Rohini AFTER TAKING PRIOR Sanction from the ECHS. They will have to clear the hospital bills of these hospitals at normal hospital rates directly and will only be reimbursed ECHS rates.
A major problem being faced by Veterans in nearly all stations is of issue of medicines for three months in case of chronic ailments. The MD ECHS had very sensibly directed all polyclinics to issue three months medicine in such cases to cut out the unnecessary inconvenience of monthly visits specially where polyclinics are located at inconvenient distances. The DGMS Army has however overruled this decision resulting in utter confusion at most stations. He basically has two reasons. Firstly, problem of bulk procurement and secondly on the ground of medical ethics wherein he feels that a patients condition needs to be reviewed every month before the treatment is continued. On both counts he is wrong. There will be no need for bulk procurement since it is unimaginable that 100 percent of the chronic patients will suddenly land up in hordes to draw their three months entitlement. Even in the normal course the three months drawl will be spread out to nearly three months. A simple statistical check or a queuing plan would illustrate this. Secondly, I can state from personal knowledge that my cardiologist at Escorts ALWAYS asks me to continue my treatment and report to him for a review after six months. FINALLY whenever I go to draw my monthly quota of medicines for my chronic ailments, which are HEART, BLOOD PRESSURE AND PROSTATE I get the prescription from a Gynaecologist, which is given to me thankfully without a review. WILL SOME MEDICO VETERAN WHO READS THIS PLEASE SPEAK TO THE MEDICAL TOP BRASS AND SUGGEST TO THEM THAT THEY WILL ALL BE JOINING OUR FRATERNITY IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE.
Brig SC Kuthiala (Retd)
A few steps that are being taken or have been taken by the ECHS to improve the service provided to Veterans need to be promulgated for the information of all.
The salary of all employees contracted in Polyclinics has been increased by up to 50 %. This includes OIC Polyclinic, Drs etc. This will result in employment of better personnel and should also reduce the incidence of employees leaving for greener pastures.
The earlier restriction on referring NCR veterans to empanelled hospitals in Delhi has been removed. Veterans in Noida for e.g. can now be referred to any other empanelled hospital within the NCR and vice versa. If this problem is being faced by veterans in other stations please do press the issue with the MD Echs through your Polyclinic or write directly to– HQ ECHS at– mdecshs at bol.net.in
The earlier proposal to shift the Noida polyclinic to Sec 52 has been shelved. The proposal now being actively considered is to shift the AWHO office and the MI Room for serving personnel to some other area, or to have a small section separately for serving personnel within the enlarged ECHS polyclinic. During my interaction with The Dy MD ECHS I had stated that shifting the MI room would not be fair to the serving personnel and should not be attempted. In fact I had stated that at no time should veterans ever be provided facilities at the expense of our colleagues in Service. Shifting the AWHO office was the obvious answer.
As earlier mentioned Veterans can now go to the following hospitals of repute in Delhi viz Gangaram, Apollo and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital Rohini AFTER TAKING PRIOR Sanction from the ECHS. They will have to clear the hospital bills of these hospitals at normal hospital rates directly and will only be reimbursed ECHS rates.
A major problem being faced by Veterans in nearly all stations is of issue of medicines for three months in case of chronic ailments. The MD ECHS had very sensibly directed all polyclinics to issue three months medicine in such cases to cut out the unnecessary inconvenience of monthly visits specially where polyclinics are located at inconvenient distances. The DGMS Army has however overruled this decision resulting in utter confusion at most stations. He basically has two reasons. Firstly, problem of bulk procurement and secondly on the ground of medical ethics wherein he feels that a patients condition needs to be reviewed every month before the treatment is continued. On both counts he is wrong. There will be no need for bulk procurement since it is unimaginable that 100 percent of the chronic patients will suddenly land up in hordes to draw their three months entitlement. Even in the normal course the three months drawl will be spread out to nearly three months. A simple statistical check or a queuing plan would illustrate this. Secondly, I can state from personal knowledge that my cardiologist at Escorts ALWAYS asks me to continue my treatment and report to him for a review after six months. FINALLY whenever I go to draw my monthly quota of medicines for my chronic ailments, which are HEART, BLOOD PRESSURE AND PROSTATE I get the prescription from a Gynaecologist, which is given to me thankfully without a review. WILL SOME MEDICO VETERAN WHO READS THIS PLEASE SPEAK TO THE MEDICAL TOP BRASS AND SUGGEST TO THEM THAT THEY WILL ALL BE JOINING OUR FRATERNITY IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE.
Brig SC Kuthiala (Retd)
Friday, May 29, 2009
ECHS: Present status and complaints
Membership as on date approximately nine lakhs with 27 lakhs beneficiaries. Approx 40% of eligible pensioners have become members.
Medical Treatment to ex-servicemen who have not joined ECHS. Veterans who have not joined the ECHS will continue to be treated in service hospitals subject to availability of beds and facilities. Veterans are not entitled to transfer/ referral from one service hospital to another and also treatment in empanelled hospitals.
Last Date for Veterans to Subscribe to the ECHS System was 31 Mar 2008. If you have not subscribed by then, you have lost your privilege of medical cover from the Armed Forces.
ECHS Newsletter
Teething Problems Galore
Posted: 2009-04-11 by G.K. EBRAHIM
Non-effectiveness.....
Sir,
Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme is seen non-effective for most of the members because of following reasons:
1. Referral by the concerned Poly Clinic is necessary. Those who are staying about 20 to 50 km away from registered Poly Clinic, will never travel so long to treat their illness; especially specilized medical services are available at their door steps.
2. With experience, the Poly Clinic(s) and/or even service hospitals are seen quite incompetant to treat even the minor illness properly and satisfactorily inview of today's highly sophiscated facilities and medicines available at every corner of our country. As such, people are quite hesitant to approach any polyclinics or service hospitals to get their illness treated.
3. The patients have the right to get treatment to his full satisfaction. They will look into ECHS only if their cases are immediately transferred to hospitals of their choice and not just service hospitals or any other facilities as per the will and wish of PolyClinics/ or as per the direction by ECHS rulings. Nobody will waste their time behind such an awful arrangement.
4. Ex-servicemen residing byond 5 or 10 Kms away from the registered Poly Clinics, must be allowed to attend directly at nearest empaneled hospitals without any referral by Poly Clinics or without any kind of indulgence by service hospitals.
5. Those who knows where they can get specialized treatment for their illness must be allowed to attend those hospitals without any consent by any Poly Clinics or Service Hospitals under the ECHS facility.
Until and unless, these problems are solved, ECHS facility is quite ineffective. Many Ex-Servicemen are seen ignoring this facility even though they are members of ECHS.
Posted: 2009-04-25 by Sunil Devendra Gondkar
Refusal of Medical Treatment at Mumbai Upnagar
I Ex-Sgt Sunil D. Gondkar is suffering from Diabetes Mallitus, Hypertension CAD and Osteo-Arthritis in both the knees, since last 10 years. I am undergoing mediacal attention at ECHS Mumbai – Upnagar naval Hospital, Powai.since 28.01.2008. However, as usual on 23.03.09, I approached the said hospital for monthly review. To my utter shock, Mr. S.P Dhyani LT. Commander (Retd.) Officer I/c Mumbai Upnagar Powai. He cited that INS Ashwini is my parent unit and I should approach INS Ashwini. I clarified to Mr. S.P. Dhyani that as I am residing in Thane as evident from the details of my Smart Card I am supposed to get treatment from ECHS Polyclinic Mumbai– Upnagar. But he bluntly refused to agree to render treatment.
Meanwhile, I Also approached Ashwini, where they clearly stated that since I am residing in Thane I am eligible for treatment at Mumbai- Upnagar till the time the incident of 23.03.09 as briefly above occurred.
The status as of now is, I am denied medical treatment and without medication I am experiencing serious problems related to my health. This trauma of uncerainity prevailing over my medical treatment is consistently bothering me. I fail to understand how can Mumbai-Upanagar stop rendering medical treatment given to me since 28.1.2008
Posted: 2009-03-02 by Jaaved
not functioning properly
sir,
im a son of ex service man living in Bareilly UP. here all the officials appointed by the government are not taking care of the people but they are adding up to their pains just because of the commision or whatever the reasons might be they are sending the patients to a hospital 15 km away out of city if a single test is to be done they refer to that hospital. there are many patients who do not live in bareilly. it is problem for them on top of it the operations that can be done in the mh bareilly they do not refer to mh doctors often specially when the patient need to admitted the bill of the private hospital has to be paid by the government than why not they can be treated in the mh. if this is what the government will do to the soldiers who have proudly worked for the nation and made it proud and after retirement in their days of rest when government need to serve it is not done. so why should they not restrict their children to join the defence. if any authority reading this please do something and save the soldiers pride and faith in the government or someone who could do anything just to save your soldiers
thanking you
Posted: 2009-02-17 by Shailesh Rai
Medicine Unavailability
Sir,
I am a retired defense personnel undergone kidney transplant and now I am a ECHS member drawing my transplant medicine from ECHS (Nerul) Navi Mumbai as the transplant medicines are costly, I have not been issued the same since last many months, as they are life saving medicine for me I had to procure same from civil which is difficult for me to afford, I just want to know why the medicines are not issued even when they are procured from regional centres. kindly help me out.
Posted: 2009-04-29 by Rajeshkumar Chauhan
required to be change process
"Sir,
My self Rajeshkumar Chauhan ECHS member,
Generally I observed that patients visiting the ECHC clinic face lot prob from ECHS clinic to further refer to MH, civil hosp & back to ECHS clinic.
My experience with ECHS Ahmedabad
Visited ECHS, checked and refer to MH for surgical SPL. Find Ambulance but not availabe as knew that under repair. I made local arrangement and reached MH. Checked Surgical Spl and advised to MRI. Again visited ECHS, made the necessary form and got signature. Further advised to go MH for Signature of Surgical Spl twice visited the MH & got signature. Same is to get medicine. As my request to concerned authority, is it possible for some changes in this process to avoid frequent visits. Moreover I expect that patient to be treated with sympathetic behaviour.
ECHS: Consumer Complaints
Medical Treatment to ex-servicemen who have not joined ECHS. Veterans who have not joined the ECHS will continue to be treated in service hospitals subject to availability of beds and facilities. Veterans are not entitled to transfer/ referral from one service hospital to another and also treatment in empanelled hospitals.
Last Date for Veterans to Subscribe to the ECHS System was 31 Mar 2008. If you have not subscribed by then, you have lost your privilege of medical cover from the Armed Forces.
ECHS Newsletter
Teething Problems Galore
Posted: 2009-04-11 by G.K. EBRAHIM
Non-effectiveness.....
Sir,
Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme is seen non-effective for most of the members because of following reasons:
1. Referral by the concerned Poly Clinic is necessary. Those who are staying about 20 to 50 km away from registered Poly Clinic, will never travel so long to treat their illness; especially specilized medical services are available at their door steps.
2. With experience, the Poly Clinic(s) and/or even service hospitals are seen quite incompetant to treat even the minor illness properly and satisfactorily inview of today's highly sophiscated facilities and medicines available at every corner of our country. As such, people are quite hesitant to approach any polyclinics or service hospitals to get their illness treated.
3. The patients have the right to get treatment to his full satisfaction. They will look into ECHS only if their cases are immediately transferred to hospitals of their choice and not just service hospitals or any other facilities as per the will and wish of PolyClinics/ or as per the direction by ECHS rulings. Nobody will waste their time behind such an awful arrangement.
4. Ex-servicemen residing byond 5 or 10 Kms away from the registered Poly Clinics, must be allowed to attend directly at nearest empaneled hospitals without any referral by Poly Clinics or without any kind of indulgence by service hospitals.
5. Those who knows where they can get specialized treatment for their illness must be allowed to attend those hospitals without any consent by any Poly Clinics or Service Hospitals under the ECHS facility.
Until and unless, these problems are solved, ECHS facility is quite ineffective. Many Ex-Servicemen are seen ignoring this facility even though they are members of ECHS.
Posted: 2009-04-25 by Sunil Devendra Gondkar
Refusal of Medical Treatment at Mumbai Upnagar
I Ex-Sgt Sunil D. Gondkar is suffering from Diabetes Mallitus, Hypertension CAD and Osteo-Arthritis in both the knees, since last 10 years. I am undergoing mediacal attention at ECHS Mumbai – Upnagar naval Hospital, Powai.since 28.01.2008. However, as usual on 23.03.09, I approached the said hospital for monthly review. To my utter shock, Mr. S.P Dhyani LT. Commander (Retd.) Officer I/c Mumbai Upnagar Powai. He cited that INS Ashwini is my parent unit and I should approach INS Ashwini. I clarified to Mr. S.P. Dhyani that as I am residing in Thane as evident from the details of my Smart Card I am supposed to get treatment from ECHS Polyclinic Mumbai– Upnagar. But he bluntly refused to agree to render treatment.
Meanwhile, I Also approached Ashwini, where they clearly stated that since I am residing in Thane I am eligible for treatment at Mumbai- Upnagar till the time the incident of 23.03.09 as briefly above occurred.
The status as of now is, I am denied medical treatment and without medication I am experiencing serious problems related to my health. This trauma of uncerainity prevailing over my medical treatment is consistently bothering me. I fail to understand how can Mumbai-Upanagar stop rendering medical treatment given to me since 28.1.2008
Posted: 2009-03-02 by Jaaved
not functioning properly
sir,
im a son of ex service man living in Bareilly UP. here all the officials appointed by the government are not taking care of the people but they are adding up to their pains just because of the commision or whatever the reasons might be they are sending the patients to a hospital 15 km away out of city if a single test is to be done they refer to that hospital. there are many patients who do not live in bareilly. it is problem for them on top of it the operations that can be done in the mh bareilly they do not refer to mh doctors often specially when the patient need to admitted the bill of the private hospital has to be paid by the government than why not they can be treated in the mh. if this is what the government will do to the soldiers who have proudly worked for the nation and made it proud and after retirement in their days of rest when government need to serve it is not done. so why should they not restrict their children to join the defence. if any authority reading this please do something and save the soldiers pride and faith in the government or someone who could do anything just to save your soldiers
thanking you
Posted: 2009-02-17 by Shailesh Rai
Medicine Unavailability
Sir,
I am a retired defense personnel undergone kidney transplant and now I am a ECHS member drawing my transplant medicine from ECHS (Nerul) Navi Mumbai as the transplant medicines are costly, I have not been issued the same since last many months, as they are life saving medicine for me I had to procure same from civil which is difficult for me to afford, I just want to know why the medicines are not issued even when they are procured from regional centres. kindly help me out.
Posted: 2009-04-29 by Rajeshkumar Chauhan
required to be change process
"Sir,
My self Rajeshkumar Chauhan ECHS member,
Generally I observed that patients visiting the ECHC clinic face lot prob from ECHS clinic to further refer to MH, civil hosp & back to ECHS clinic.
My experience with ECHS Ahmedabad
Visited ECHS, checked and refer to MH for surgical SPL. Find Ambulance but not availabe as knew that under repair. I made local arrangement and reached MH. Checked Surgical Spl and advised to MRI. Again visited ECHS, made the necessary form and got signature. Further advised to go MH for Signature of Surgical Spl twice visited the MH & got signature. Same is to get medicine. As my request to concerned authority, is it possible for some changes in this process to avoid frequent visits. Moreover I expect that patient to be treated with sympathetic behaviour.
ECHS: Consumer Complaints
Thursday, February 7, 2008
ECHS
Information. Latest and updated information is available ECHS News Letter at www.indianarmy.nic.in/arechs.htm. (Links are given in the "Bulletin Board" and in "useful webpages" in Report My Signal Blog)
Periodic News Letter. The next issue of News Letter and also in future, will be put on the website.
Delayed Clearance of Bills. Delayed clearance of bills is a problem mainly at a few high pressure stations due to large number of bills received from empanelled hospitals. At times hospitals delay submission of bills by upto six months. A hospital in Noida and Vellore submitted 500 and 600 bills respectively in a single day, after six months, and expected the bills to be cleared in next seven days. Many of them were inflated, thus necessitating greater effort in scrutinising. However, following measures have been initiated :-
Appointment of Consultants and Clerks from AG’s Welfare Fund at 31 high pressure stations at annual cost of Rs. 55,08,000/-.
A case has also been taken up with MOD for authorisation of consultants and clerks at these high pressure stations.
A comprehensive SOP has been prepared for timely bill processing of empanelled hospitals.
An advisory committee at each Station HQ has been constituted to regularly interact with the empanelled hospitals to resolve such issues like non-clearance of bills.
Hospitals have been advised to submit bills regularly and not to accumulate them.
MANAGING DIRECTOR ECHS
Report My Signal Team thanks MD ECHS for the latest inputs. Suggestion/ Queries in the webpage is yet to be activated.
Periodic News Letter. The next issue of News Letter and also in future, will be put on the website.
Delayed Clearance of Bills. Delayed clearance of bills is a problem mainly at a few high pressure stations due to large number of bills received from empanelled hospitals. At times hospitals delay submission of bills by upto six months. A hospital in Noida and Vellore submitted 500 and 600 bills respectively in a single day, after six months, and expected the bills to be cleared in next seven days. Many of them were inflated, thus necessitating greater effort in scrutinising. However, following measures have been initiated :-
Appointment of Consultants and Clerks from AG’s Welfare Fund at 31 high pressure stations at annual cost of Rs. 55,08,000/-.
A case has also been taken up with MOD for authorisation of consultants and clerks at these high pressure stations.
A comprehensive SOP has been prepared for timely bill processing of empanelled hospitals.
An advisory committee at each Station HQ has been constituted to regularly interact with the empanelled hospitals to resolve such issues like non-clearance of bills.
Hospitals have been advised to submit bills regularly and not to accumulate them.
MANAGING DIRECTOR ECHS
Report My Signal Team thanks MD ECHS for the latest inputs. Suggestion/ Queries in the webpage is yet to be activated.
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