Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme | 25 Mar 2020
Why in News
Recently, the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) has allowed Defence veterans with lifestyle diseases on long treatment to purchase the required medicines for the month of April at once to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Key Points
- ECHS is a flagship Scheme of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence. It was launched with effect from April 2003.
- Aim: To provide quality healthcare for Ex-servicemen (Army, Navy and Air Force) pensioners and their dependents.
- Under the scheme allopathic and AYUSH medicare is provided through a network of ECHS Polyclinics, AYUSH hospitals spread across the country.
- Services Provided: ECHS Polyclinics are designed to provide 'OutPatient Care' which includes consultation, essential investigation and provision of medicines.
- Specialized consultations, investigations and 'In Patient Care' (Hospitalization) is provided through spare capacity available in Service hospitals/Government Hospitals/civil hospitals empanelled with ECHS.
- Funding: The Scheme is financed by the Government of India.
- Headquarter: The Central Organisation ECHS is located at Delhi in the Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army).