Fortis Mohali: ECHS orders Stop Referral over complaints of unethical practices

The order came due to complaints submitted by the ECHS beneficiaries regarding alleged unethical practices and mistreatment by the hospital.

Chandigarh: The central organization of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) has directed a “stop referral” order with immediate effect in respect of Fortis Hospital, Mohali. This order is pursuant to a show-cause notice issued to the hospital four months ago.

Tribune reports that on March 9, the ECHS Regional Centre, Chandimandir, wrote a letter to all polyclinics under its jurisdiction which stated, “In view of the numerous complaints received from ECHS beneficiaries, the ECHS Central Organization has directed to impose a “stop referral” in respect of Fortis Hospital.”

The letter added, “The old referrals, including cases of chemotherapy and dialysis, be honoured till the completion of the treatment or termination of the validity of the referral whichever is earliest”.

The daily adds that the order came due to complaints submitted by the ECHS beneficiaries regarding alleged unethical practices and mistreatment by the hospital. It is reported that a show-cause notice was issued by the organisation to the hospital alleging unethical practices and mistreatment, but the hospital statement adds that it had responded to the concerns of ECHS appropriately.

In response to the order, hospital issued a statement on March 12 stating, “We suitably responded to the show-cause notice and certain concerns were raised that were to be addressed by the ECHS. These have not been addressed till date and we are yet to receive a reply to our letter from the ECHS,”

A hospital functionary told TNS that no new ECHS admissions were being taken and even emergency cases were being turned away. This is creating inconvenience and confusion among ex-servicemen.

Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was launched with effect from 01 April 2003. The Scheme aims to provide allopathic medicare to Ex-servicemen pensioner and their dependents through a network of ECHS Polyclinics, Service medical facilities and civil empanelled/Govt hospitals spread across the country. The Scheme has been structured on the lines of CGHS to ensure cashless transactions, as far as possible, for the patients and is financed by the Govt of India. As on 01 May 2015, a total of 15,21,563 Ex-servicemen have enlisted with the Scheme along with 32,02,610 dependents. Total beneficiaries of the Scheme, thus amount to 47,24,173 across the country.

The hospital gets around 3,500 ECHS patients and admission of nearly 800-900 ECHS patients on a monthly basis.