Fortis Hospital Mohali agreement with ECHS terminates, hospital clarifies to offer treatment

Chandigarh: Following the dissolution of the agreement between the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and Fortis Hospital Mohali, the hospital announced that treatment as per the ECHS agreement would stop from October 1 since it would come to an end on Friday. However, the hospital later clarified that it would continue providing treatment to ECHS card holders.  

The hospital staff had informed the veterans and their relatives that the ECHS services would stop from October 1. As per the information received by veterans, they have come to know that the agreement between the hospital and ECHS had lapsed on September 30. It was not renewed due to some changes made in the terms of the contract by ECHS. 

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Subsequently, various senior veterans have approached the HQs Western Command asking it to intervene and make temporary arrangements for continuing the referral services at Fortis Hospital. This is not the first time such an issue was reported as a problem was reported earlier in recent months with ECHS and Fortis and the latter had remained dis-empaneled for a considerable period.

Stating that there is no problem from the hospital's side, sources said that the hospital's contract has not been renewed. A source said, "The hospital was not responsible for the discontinuation of services the last time it happened and it is not responsible this time too." 

However, according to Lt Col SS Sohi (retd), president of Ex-Servicemen Grievances Cell, Mohali, some veterans received verbal communication that the contract was not renewed with Fortis and that there are huge pending bills. He said, "This can be due to mismanagement or due to shortage of funds allotted to ECHS by the government. But the fact is that 300 to 400 veterans visit Fortis daily and they are in danger of being denied quality medically services. We have taken up the matter with HQs Western Command and the Veterans Cell at Army HQs and have been assured that services will continue from October 1."

The move would affect various veterans who have been receiving treatment for critical illnesses using ECHS as their treatment would be stopped midway, reports the Indian Express. A retired officer said, "A relative of mine is undergoing chemotherapy at Fortis hospital and is in a delicate state of health. How are we to suddenly look for an alternate place to get treatment for him especially since even Max Hospital has terminated its contract with ECHS."

It was reported that the Army Commander, Lt Gen Nav K Khanduri was also apprised of the situation. The other major hospitals like Tricity, and Max Hospital have already ended their agreement with ECHS, and Fortis was the only remaining major hospital where the veterans were dependent for treatment. 

The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was launched on 1st April 2003, to provide allopathic and AYUSH medicare to Ex-servicemen pensioner and their dependents through a network of ECHS Polyclinics, Service medical facilities, Government hospitals, empanelled private hospitals/specified Govt. AYUSH hospitals spread across the country. The Scheme has been structured on the lines of CGHS to ensure cashless transactions, for the patients and is financed by the Government of India. 

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