The Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) has come into effect all over the country from April 1, last. To enable ex-servicemen reap the benefits of this scheme, various polyclinics are being set up at different military stations and non-cantonments which have a large population of ex-servicemen.

Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes and Finance Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh inaugurated the polyclinic at Jalipa in Barmer, Rajasthan. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jaswant Singh said that there had been a proposal to start such a scheme for ex-servicemen since Kargil conflict. In the first year, 227 clinics would be opened across the country and a number of hospitals would be empanelled. The scheme would benefit one crore persons including 20 lakh ex-servicemen, he added. Altogether, 17 polyclinics are to be opened in Rajasthan - 11 at military stations and six at non-military stations.

The augmented Armed Forces Clinic at Leh was inaugurated by Maj Gen Rakesh Dass, Chief of Staff at a colourful ceremony which was attended by a large number of Army officers and ex-servicemen of the Ladakh region. The clinic is co-located with General Hospital, Leh.

Brig LK Sharma, Deputy Director, Medical Services explained the scheme to the ex-servicemen. This was followed by a detailed talk in Ladakhi by Col Tsewang Smanla, Commanding Officer of the General Hospital who urged the ex-servicemen to make optimum use of the scheme.

Maj Gen RK Mehta, GOC of the Division launched ECHS at Samba station. Brig KS Jaswal was also present on the occasion. Addressing a large number of retired officers and ex-servicemen of Samba station, the Major General said that the scheme would benefit 8707 ex-servicemen and about 29,306 dependents at the station.

Brig BK Taneja, officiating Deputy Director Medical Services, inaugurated the polyclinic at Command Hospital, Northern Command in Udhampur. The inaugural ceremony was attended by a large number of ex-servicemen and their families. Col P Bhargava explained the facilities available under the scheme and clarified doubts raised by ex-servicemen.

Maj Gen AS Jamwal, GOC, ATNKK&G Area launched the scheme at Vellore. Two more clinics were inaugurated at Trichunapalli and Palakkad. Addressing the ex-servicemen, Maj Gen Jamwal said that these clinics would pave the way for establishment of more clinics at military and non-military stations.

The Chief of Staff, Headquarters Eastern Command, Lt Gen JR Mukherjee launched the scheme at Command Hospital, Kolkata. He said that twelve augmented Armed Forces Clinics were to be opened at various military stations which would be co-located with the existing Military Hospitals at Kolkata, Bengdubi, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Agartala, Imphal, Shillong, Silchar and Jorhat and with the Assam Rifles Units at Kohima, Mokokchung and Aizwal. Another six new polyclinics are to be opened at non-military stations at Salt Lake, Midinapore, Bardhaman, Howrah, Krishnanagar in West Bengal and at New Bongaigaon in Assam.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the scheme came into effect at Jammu Cantonment in the presence of a large number of ex-servicemen, Chairman Ex-servicemen League, Director, Rajya Sainik Board and District Sainik Welfare Officers. The polyclinic was inaugurated at Military Station, Jammu.

Maj Gen ML Naidu, GOC, 4 Infantry Division inaugurated the polyclinic at Military Hospital, Allahabad. The inaugural ceremony was graced by many senior retired officers including Maj Gen SM Hasnain and Maj Gen MN Rawat. In his welcome address, Col RK Thaker, Commanding Officer of the hospital explained the advantages of the scheme. A large number of ex-soldiers, their families and dependents attended the function.

On this occasion, Maj Gen Naidu said that the scheme is a positive step towards extending medicare to ex-servicemen and their dependents. He added that with the introduction of polyclinics at military and non-military stations such as Allahabad, Pratapgarh and Fatehpur, the ex-servicemen and their dependents would not have to go to Military Hospital for treatment. Two more polyclinics will soon come up at Sultanpur and Fatehpur.

Brig Ranjit Prasad, Station Commander, Pangode launched the scheme at Pangode Military Centre. The augmented Armed Forces Clinic was inaugurated by Lt Gen SK Pillai (Retd). Col BIT Joseph, Commanding Officer Military Hospital, Pangode Military Centre explained the salient features of the scheme. Brig MNK Nair (Retd) was also present on the occasion. Another clinic was inaugurated at INS Sanjeevini by Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. Nine more clinics will be set up in Kerala in due course.

The ECHS is on the lines of Central Government Health Scheme. In this scheme, ex-servicemen have to contribute in proportion to their pension. Those drawing pension upto Rs 1500 have to pay Rs 1800, from Rs 1501-3000 pay Rs 4800, from Rs 3001-5000 pay Rs 8400, from 5001-7000 pay Rs 10,000 and Rs 7001 and above have to pay Rs 18000 as a one time contribution life to become a member of the scheme.