AFVOA Newletters of Year 2007

Page 58 of 68 home in uniform. 5. We will also be hoping to see a more responsive health care system taking shape in the coming year. The care of aging Veterans is an area of growing concern for all of us. Till some years back the health care needs of all retired personnel were being looked after by our Military Hospitals. As the strength of retirees grew with time the MHs found it difficult to cope with the increased influx of patients. Their resources were being stretched to the limits. Added to this was the aspect that in case of war the MHs would have to deny all services to retired personnel. Hence was born the Ex-serviceman’s Comprehensive Health Scheme on the lines of the CGHS. 6. However, since its inception the ECHS has had to face a number of problems. Initially they were considered ‘teething problems’ and many of the micro level problems such as the availability of medicines have well been overcome. But at the macro level we are facing a situation where major civilian hospitals which had been empanelled for specialty treatments have refused to accept patients because of outstanding bills. This will have to be looked into urgently and necessary actions taken to settle with them so that those of us who need such life saving treatments are provided the same. 7. Added to this is the problem of obtaining Death Certificates. Veterans are defacto in the care of ECHS. However, for no explicable reason, the ECHS has banned its doctors from giving death certificates. A doctor treating a patient knows his health problems and under the normal circumstances should be the one who gives the death certificate. In our case it is the ECHS and it is the ECHS doctor who has to give it. If after treating a patient for years and years the ECHS doctor refuses to give a death certificate where should the next of kin go? As things stand a bizarre situation exists where the death of every ECHS member has to be reported to the police and the body handed over for post mortem in a government hospital which will then give a death certificate. With all the attending perplexities the situation is grim. This aspect of ECHS needs fine tuning. 8. Allied to health is physical security. In these days of nuclear families which live in apartments electronic security at residences take on importance as never before. Electronic security gadgets to identify visitors, to check intruders, to guard premises during the absence of occupants and cameras to watch the suspicious activities are some of the areas needing attention. A number of our members are involved in the provision of security and in the running of security firms. The coming year could well see these veterans networking and organizing a security apparatus which provides the needed security which is a societal need of the time. Let the new year bring you all the prosperity you desire. Happy New Year. Language most shews a man; Speak that I may see thee. Ben Johnson Meeting Gone By – A resume 1. Bi-monthly meeting was held on 18 Nov 2008 at the Palm Grove Ecological Park and Sports Complex. It was a well attended noon meeting. Tambola. 2. The meeting commenced with a game of Tambola with a SnowBall of Rs. 1,000/- in