AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 56 of 170 hospitals was very good since the revenue as well as the patient turnover would increase very considerably at ECHS empanelled hospitals. However, Col Gawande mentioned clearly that it would be the effort of the Governing Body of the ECHS to see that the scheme was not rushed through with infirmities, the aim being to ensure as near fool proof a scheme as possible. With this in view, he opined that it might take about a month or two to print application forms, and begin their issue to prospective members. The actual date would be intimated in all the major newspapers. He also reckoned that it would take a year for the scheme to become operational in terms of actual delivery of intended services. This was inevitable at the start up of a new and complex scheme that required setting up of fairly complex infrastructure, apart from having to recruit suitable medical and other staff. In the interim period between acceptance of applications, issue of member ID cards, and actual readiness for use, members would need to keep up their current practice of utilising existing facilities. Col Gawande accepted a suggestion that at commencement of membership, the ECHS at Chennai would take the help of existing organisations such as the Air Force Association, the Navy Foundation, and the AFVOA to enable members to hand in forms at a central location near their place of residence, such as at Tambaram, Avadi etc. 13. The Last (?) Word on the ECHS: It would appear that there is still scope for us to put our heads together and collate doubts/suggestions for fine-tuning/improvement of the ECHS. A lot of useful material is available on the following websites, as well as due to efforts of retired officers based elsewhere such as Brigs Kamboj and Sundaram. It would probably be good if members of the AFVOA put in a little overtime and forward any new thoughts “pronto” to Air Vice Mshl Krishnaswamy or Brig Subramanyam via e-mail so that we could forward useful/new ideas to Army HQ. With regard to the present status/offering of the ECHS, there is, as with many things in our blessed land, enough room for confusion, and things could always be better! a) http://www.irfc-nausena.mil.in/irfc/medico/eshs.htm b) http://medico/application_form.htm Stop Press: 13. The IESL after a relentless effort has succeeded in lightening the financial strain caused due to 2.5 times enhanced one time contribution towards Medical Coverage Scheme for the ex-servicemen, by making government agree to payment in three equal instalments. The ex-servicemen will now pay the amount of their contribution in three annual instalments. After paying the first instalment, they will be entitled to full Medical Cover for themselves as well as for their dependents. (Source: IESL Newsletter May 2003) Honouring the GOC, ATNKK&G Area If you’re respectful by habit, constantly honouring the worthy, Four things increase: Long Life, beauty, Happiness, strength. ~ Dhammapada, 8, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu 14. Maj Gen Anup Singh Jamwal, AVSM, VSM, Arty, GOC of the ATNKK&G Area headquartered at Fort St George arrived at 1940hrs, having taken considerable pains to be with us, as he had had a busy schedule immediately preceding involving the PM’s inauguration of the extended international terminal at the airport. Gen Jamwal and Mrs Jamwal were welcomed by the Patron, who, in a very brief speech, expressed his fervent prayer that Gen Jamwal, with his evident predilection for ex-Servicemen’s affairs and their