Dear sir,
I am vetran of IAF and member of ECHS since its commencement. Every day we come across vetrans raising problems relating to treatment at polyclinic, whether it is long "Q" and hours of waiting owing to inadequate number of polyclinics and heavy load of patient's, non availability of medicines which has become a regular feature, undignified behavior of medical officers and staff. Medical officers behave more like officers then doctors. This behavior aspect is more evident now a days then before, discrimination in treatment officers vis a vis others. Dear vetrans complaints are many and shall keep cropping, instead of discussing let us move forward to find solutions. Here it is relevant to mention that there are lucky few who have received costly surgeries, operations special medicines etc.
ECHS be improved?, simple answer is NO!. With present set up it is not at all possible, since management and running of ECHS is in wrong hands, and also why can't the functioning be improved, please go through the following lines carefully an seriously. "ECHS was never concieved and created for the welfare and benefits of Ex servicemen".The main aim of this flawed scheme was to accommodate and rehabilitate a large number of retired mostly Army officers, hence the welfare of ESM was front to hide this main aim . A concrete plan to provide adequate medical services was never created. Regular supply of medicine was lacing refferal was a very complex procedure, first obtain refferal from PC then go to empaneled hospital bring the estimate and cost of treatment, again submit it to PC and wait for few days for approved/ not approved, This complex harassing procedure some time led to discontinuation except those really very serious. ECHS empanelled hospitals refuse/ refused admission to ECHS members because ECHS authorities didn't clear previous bills. Old ECHS empanelled hospitals have discontinued because ECHS authorities don't pay bills in time for previous medical treatment of ECHS members. ECHS members reimbursement of medical bills delayed by ECHS authorities. Behavior of O ic ECHS is like DICTATOR. ECHS medical treatment is dictatorship. ECHS members go to ECHS center/ polyclinic for medical treatment and not for writing complaint or picnic. ECHS members Patients are in need of sympathetic behavior by ECHS staff but it is observed inhuman treatment by ECHS staff. Most of the JCOs SNCOs, NCOs and Sepoy are from villages and they are settled in villages so ECHS center or polyclinic should be at Tahasil/Taluka places. All ECHS centers and polyclinic should have 3-4 mobile medical treatment vans.
What is the solution? Since we can't hope for any improvement of functioning of ECHS and PC hence the only solution is to SCRAPE this
I'll conceived medical scheme in TO TO. It may sound very drastic but there is no other way out.
Now what we can hope for alternate arrangement for medical services? I have one option and that is merge ECHS with CGHS. Why CGHS? Because this medical scheme is well established and managed scheme, providing more number of members then ECHS. A very large number of pan India network of dispensaries and most number of private hospitals are empaneled, accessebilty to CGHS would be almost 100 percent for members. Merging both scheme should not pose any serious issue. All forces are part of central government, both schemes are contributery, (funds)of ECHS can be transferd to CGHS. Or any other medical health insurance. Friends it would be herculian task but I am sure not impossible. Learned friends, eminent persons advocates on the forum if willing
Can achieve the goal of removing this I'll concieved scheme by preparing a comprehensive report highlighting the drawbacks of this scheme which fails a large number of veterans. The report can be forwarded to Hon. President,Hon PM, and Hon defense minister also to all members of parliament. The hardship felt by members I, am sure no one else is aware. A time when they need a sympathatic, dignified medical services all the get pain and harassement. My humble request to all those capable learned friends to give it a try it might result in some fruitful outcome. If we remain in present scheme will keep getting harassmet for rest of our life.