Retired employees of armed services in Krishna district are angry. It’s a frustration resulting from an inordinate delay in allocation of land for setting up a permanent hospital building for ex-servicemen.
Over 15,000 ex-servicemen and their family members (total around 50,000 people) in the district depend on the ECHS (Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) polyclinic started on an ad-hoc basis in a rented accommodation on the premises of old Government General Hospital in 2006 for their medical needs. The proposal was to identify land for construction of a permanent building and shift the hospital.
The agony of the delay in land allocation despite running from pillar to post aside, a letter issued by the Sub-Area Commandant on March 15 this year, has added to the woes of the members of AP Ex-Servicemen Federation.
Taking strong exception to the undue delay in identifying land for the purpose, the letter warns that the ECHS services will be ceased, if the federation fails to find a permanent site for a hospital building by March 31 next year.
“If that happens, nearly 50,000 people will be deprived of healthcare facilities. The armed forces’ personnel are in the forefront in serving the country. We have given the best of our years to serve this nation and just look at our plight now,” says Katuri Ravindra Trivikram, Chairman of the federation.
Secretary general M. Sampat Kumar informs that after meeting successive Collectors and a Superintendent of Vijayawada Government Hospital, allotment of 700 sq. yards of vacant land adjacent to a Rotary building was recommended. “The Superintendent even sought permission for issue of NOC from the State Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare in 2011. After four years, we are still waiting for the transfer of land,” he rues.
“We valiantly guarded 33 lakh sq km stretch along the borders. Now, the government refuses to give even 700 sq yard to ensure our good health,” says founder president and working chairman of the federation A.P. Naidu.
ECHS is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare. The aim is to provide quality healthcare to pensioners of armed forces and their dependants.
ECHS services will be ceased, if permanent site for hospital is not found by March 31, 2016
Though 700 sq. yards was recommended in 2011, land transfer is yet to happen
