MoD questions efficacy of ECHS for retired personnel

New Delhi, May 7

The Ministry of Defence has come down heavily on the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) that is designed to cater to the medical needs of retired soldiers and their families.

The MoD, in a statement, said the denial of medical support to the veterans in these testing times raised several questions regarding the efficacy of the scheme. “The armed forces will have to take a hard look on this issue to identify fail-safe options for the future,” it said. Set up in 2003, the ECHS was to provide quality medical care to veterans and their families because of the limited capacity of the military hospitals. During the Covid surge, most veterans were denied admissions under the ECHS and empanelled hospitals, which had increased their dependence on the already-stressed military hospitals, said the MoD. — TNS

Warships to bring 250 MT oxygen in 4 days

• Over next four days, over 250 tonnes of liquid oxygen is expected to land on Indian shores aboard Navy warships
• Five warships are homeward-bound and will reach between May 9 and May 11
• The warships are also carrying 2,300 filled and 3,150 empty oxygen cylinders, 57 concentrators, eight empty oxygen containers (20 tonnes each) and 10,000 rapid antigen test kits
• Air Force aircraft too are ferrying supplies from domestic sources and countries like Germany, Singapore, UAE, Oman, UK, Australia and Thailand
• Defence doctors will now provide online consultation on e-Sanjeevani OPD to all citizens of the country

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