ECHS introduces home isolation package for COVID-19 affected veterans

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 28

The Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) has introduced a paid home isolation package for its beneficiaries who have been advised home quarantine due to COVID-19.

The package includes visit of doctors at home twice a week, monitoring of temperature, pulse, oxygen levels and blood pressure, dietician consultation, administration of injections and medicines, use of oxygen cylinder, and monitoring by nursing staff based on the condition of the patient.

Due to the recent surge in number of COVID-19 cases and inability of the health infrastructure to cope with the sudden rise in the number of cases, a large number of beneficiaries with mild symptoms are being advised home quarantine.

“During the home quarantine, there is a need to monitor the patient for his parameters such as temperature, SpO2 levels, blood pressure, etc., as also to consume prescribed medicines. In certain cases, there may be a requirement to administer oxygen to the patient,” a circular issued by the ECHS Central Organisation at Army Headquarters on April 27 states.

“If an ECHS beneficiary who is having complaints of fever, cough, or diarrhoea, etc., and consults a doctor at a service, government, empanelled or non-empanelled hospital, where he is advised home isolation and RT-PCR test, he will be entitled to purchase a home isolation package,” the circular adds.

The cost incurred on availing the package by a patient will be reimbursed by ECHS with a ceiling limit if Rs 1,000 per day up to 14 days from the date of advice for home quarantine.

In addition, the use of oxygen cylinder or oxygen concentrator a home, provision of ambulance to shift a patient to hospital if the need arises and blood tests RT-PCR and CT-scan would also be reimbursable for home quarantine.

ECHS provides medi-care to retired armed forces personnel, their dependents and some other entitled categories through a network of 427 polyclinics spread across the country. It has a scriber base of over 50 lakh beneficiaries.

Following the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, ECHS polyclinics have been opened up for providing COVID-19 treatment to its beneficiaries. Yesterday, the Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh had also approved the hiring of additional contractual staff in 51 ECHS facilities to cater to the increased work load.