Military hospitals told not to turn away veterans in emergency cases

Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 12

 Directing military hospitals not to refuse treatment to ex-servicemen in emergency and life-threatening conditions, Army Headquarters has issued fresh instruction on the procedure to be followed in such cases.

 An advisory issued by the Directorate General of Medical Services (Army) a few days ago states that the establishment of the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) notwithstanding, care of ex-servicemen still remains one of the important and sensitive functions of military hospitals.

Pointing out that grievances and complaints on various issues varying from the refusal of admission to inadequate medical care at military hospitals are being received from ex-servicemen, the advisory adds that the majority of complaints can be addressed if patients are attended to with empathy and patience.

“No ex-serviceman reporting for emergency and life-saving care will be denied admission,” the advisory states. “Any decision to refer the patient to an empanelled hospital will only be taken with due clearance from the commandant, commanding officer or head of department,” it adds.

When an ECHS member or ex-serviceman is referred to an empanelled hospital, all possible assistance in terms of contact with the empanelled hospital, ascertaining bed availability, details of ambulance services, etc will be provided to the relatives or attendants of the patient by the military hospital.  

 The advisory further states that the role of the military hospital will continue till the patient is admitted to a hospital empanelled under the ECHS and a record of all cases is to be kept that would be monitored by the head of the military hospital.