AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 127 of 170 mature retirement, discharges and dismissals are not covered by the term “retired defence personnel”, whereas they are covered by the term “ESM”. The appellation “retired defence personnel” would refer to one who has completed his term of service and is drawing pension. Hence a change may not be necessary, and the generally accepted usage of “ex-serviceman” that has come to stay all over India, will continue to be used. Question No 64. What is the difference between “authorized” and “entitled” treatment at Service Hospitals? Answer. a) At present the rule position for treatment in Service hospitals is, that it is only authorised to serving ranks/personnel and their declared dependants. Ex-Servicemen are one amongst a list of 34 categories entitled to treatment, and hence, fall in a non- authorised category. The list of 34 includes BSF personnel under Army control, NCC, DGOF pers, etc. Treatment of ESM is, therefore, subject to many conditions like availability of bed space, treatment facility, availability of qualified doctors etc. Also, many diseases requiring long hospitalisation/expensive treatment, like Heart Transplant, Angiography, Cancer, Renal Transplants, Artificial Limbs, and such other facilities are not permitted for ESM. b) By becoming an ECHS member, the ESM joins the authorised category for the complete range of in-patient treatment, both in service and in empanelled hospitals. However, their priority is next only to serving service personnel and their dependants, who hold primacy in attendance, care and treatment. Non-ECHS members will be treated only as per the existing procedure of restricted services provided by MHs, and will NOT have access to empanelled civil hospitals. Question No 65. Is dental treatment catered for at Polyclinics? Answer. Yes. Each Polyclinic depending on the Type, whether “A”, “B”, “C”, or “D” has the following facilities in full or in part:- a) Two emergency ICU beds with monitors. b) Physiotherapy equipment. c) Analysis lab with reagents. d) Digital ECG machine. e) Dental chair. f) Ultrasound machine with normal & Gynae probes. g) X Ray machine. h) Oxygen Concentrator. i) Nebuliser. j) Minor OT facility. k) BP machine & other routine instruments as in an MI Room. Question No 66. Will services of all specialists be available at all Polyclinics? Answer. No. Whereas Type A & B clinics will have normal medical officers, medical specialists, gynecologist and dentist on their establishment, Type C & D will not have all. In any case, for any specialist/super-specialist consultation, the ECHS patients will be referred to outsourced Hospital/Diagnostic Centres and specialists. http://indianarmy.nic.in/arechsfaq.htm