AFVOA Newsletters of Year 2012

Page 22 of 80 3. Space Management. Maj Gen K Chattaraman and Col KS Chakravarthi made certain observations and gave some suggestions for better space management. The OIC had agreed to the suggestion to explore the possibility of converting the Gazebo Hut, into a Reception Hall, with audio visual display of Token System, to reduce the congestion in the main building. 4. Medicines. The OIC Polyclinics of Non Military Stations are authorised Local Purchase (LP) powers. Since Chennai is a Military Station, he has to depend on the MH for medicines. Since the requirement of the MH is different and also the LP procedure is lengthy and time consuming, the immediate requirement of medicines for the ESM patients could not be met by the OIC at times. To avoid such hardship, it was proposed to take up a case for authorising LP for the OIC Polyclinic in the Military Stations also, at par with the non Military Stations. 5. Empanelled Hospitals. The problem of Empanelling and retaining such hospitals was discussed. In majority of the cases, it was pointed out that the Civil Hospitals are reluctant to get empanelled due to huge arrears and enormous delay in clearing of their bills. SRMC has nearly 6 crores and Miot has nearly 4 crores pending for clearance. The issue has to be taken up with the Station Cdr and also to the MD ECHS. The technical problems related to the clearance of SRMC bills must be resolved. Maj Gen CT Chari, President AFVOA, had stated that he was already on the task of meeting the concerned officials, to ease out the problem. A list Empanelled Hospitals and Treatment Facilities was given by the OIC, which has already been circulated by email. 6. Transport. Lt Col T Arunagiri pointed out that the State Transport buses do not ply on the route to MH. Maj Gen Chattaraman explained the reason for this temporary disruption of the service. The OIC brought out that a Van, provided by the Tamilnadu ESM Security(TEX-CO) is being utilised from the Guindy RS to the Polyclinic and to MIOT Hospital, from 7.30 am to 2.pm on all days, as per the schedule publicised in the Notice Board. This transport is being provided free of cost by the Organisation. 7. Issue of Death Certificate. Maj Gen CT Chari wanted a clarification on the embargo on the Medical Officers of ECHS in issuing Death Certificate to its patients. Though Surg Capt CV Natarajan and Lt Cdr K Rajagopal expressed their views, the matter has to be resolved by written authority on the subject. 8. Some other Practical Difficulties. Some members pointed out that some of the Referral Hospitals demand signature form the patients even before the completion of the number of consultations or the treatment itself, like physiotherapy. The OIC emphasised that the patient should also be equally responsible to ensure that they sign only for the treatment received. He could be approached in case of any difficulty. The OIC also agreed with the suggestion of some members that treatment and medicines not available on ECHS approved rates would be examined and dealt on case to case basis and no uniform yardstick would be applied. Volunteers for ECHS. Col TN Raman pointed out that in a few ECHS Polyclinics, like Secunderbad, even a Veteran AVM is helping out in the Reception, on voluntary basis. For better interaction and helping out the brother ESM he requested that our Veterans and their spouses should try and find time to render such assistance. Four hours in a week, of any day of your choice, form 9 am to 1 pm, would be ideal. Many of us can spare four hours in a week for such voluntary activity. To start with he had volunteered to offer his service on every Monday form