Providing health care facilities for ex-servicemen and their dependants belonging to Madurai and its neighbouring districts since March 2005, the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic has shifted to P and T Colony here.
Set up at a cost of Rs. 17 lakh, the new building is equipped with x-ray, dental chair, investigation laboratory, pharmacy and medical store facilities to cater to the medical needs of ex-servicemen and their dependants.
The Type ‘C’ Polyclinic has one medical specialist, couple of medical officers, and a dental officer besides paramedical staff to attend to the patients.
The new clinic was inaugurated by Lieutenant General V.K. Pillai, General Officer Commanding, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala Area at a function held here on Saturday that was attended by Colonel G. George, Station Commander, Tiruchi and A.A. Rethinam, Officer in-charge, ECHS Polyclinic, Madurai besides ex-servicemen and their family members. Hitherto, the polyclinic was functioning in a rented building at Kalainagar here. The polyclinic provides healthcare facilities to approximately 16,000 ex-servicemen and their dependants of Madurai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Theni, Virudhunagar and Dindigul districts.
In a month, an average of 800 referrals was provided to needy patients for chronic and complicated diseases, including cancer and other ailments as per requirements. There are five empanelled hospitals in Madurai under the scheme, said Mr. A.A. Rethinam, Officer In-charge.
Inaugurating the building, Lt. Gen. Pillai said that the scheme had met with success benefitting a large number of ex-servicemen and their dependants.
The ECHS was a real privilege for the retired defence personnel as they were entitled to best hospitals under the comprehensive medical care scheme, he added.
Speaking to The Hindu on recruitment, G. George, Station Commander and Director (recruitment) Tiruchi, said that currently a recruitment rally is underway in Tiruchi for the post of Hawaldar (Education). Recruitment for other categories such as soldier GD, technical wing, clerks and tradesman would begin on January 29 in Karur.
