ECHS FACILITIES FOR THE DEPENDANTS OF SERVING JAWANS & OFFICERS.

GOOD NEWS FOR DEPENDANTS OF SERVING JAWANS & OFFICERS

RESIDING IN REMOTE VILLAGES   TO AVAIL  ECHS  FACILITIES.

New Delhi, Dec 29 (PTI) Families of soldiers, who are forced to travel to city centres for free medical treatment in military hospitals, may soon be able to avail the facility at their local ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) polyclinics.

A proposal in this regard is being worked out by the Army and plans are also on anvil for increasing the number of ECHS polyclinics in the remote areas are.

"It is a vision of the army chief to make available medical facilities at the doorstep of the dependents of the serving jawan and officer residing in remote villages who otherwise could not get medical treatment," Lieutenant General H L Kakria, Director General Medical Services, Army said.

"A proposal for the same is being processed. According to the plan, the dependents of the serving soldier can avail treatment at the ECHS polyclinic where till now only ex-servicemen were entitled to avail treatment," Lt Gen Kakaria said.

Already 219 ECHS polyclinic exist in different corners of the country and a proposal to set up 199 more in remote areas is being considered.

"The dependents of a serving soldier are entitled to medical facilities at military hospitals only. Their family members, especially the elderly, living in remote areas faced difficulty in travelling all the way to the service hospital. It was a cause of concern for our soldier. After the proposal is approved, things will be easier now," he said.

Rejecting reports of increase in stress level amongst the armed forces, Kakaria said, "Stress level of the Indian army personnel is same as that faced by civilians. If you compare it with US armed forces, ours is half." PTI SWT.

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