SHILLONG:
The Indian Army and the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) on January 31 for extending multi speciality medical cover under the aegis of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme to veterans (ECHS).
Dr Nalin Mehta, director of NEIGRIHMS, which is one of the premier multispecialty and superspeciality medical facility for North Eastern states, stated on the occasion that this landmark initiative will alleviate the difficulties faced by veteran soldiers of Meghalaya who will not have to undergo hardships of travelling to other states for treatment.
Major General Rajesh Kumar Jha, AVSM, Officiating GOC 101 Area conveyed his appreciation to all involved in realising this initiative, which he said will help ex-servicemen of the entire area in getting the benefit of reliable medical support.
He also thanked Central Organisation ECHS and Eastern Command for supporting the MoA which will facilitate cashless and capless medical treatment for ESM beneficiaries and dependents of ECHS in the state of Meghalaya to include Assam Rifles ECHS members at Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rates.
It was highlighted that a help centre has been established at NEIGRIHMS which will extend assistance to the veterans visiting the institute. The arrangement is a first of its kind for the state of Meghalaya and will make a seminal difference to veteran care efforts of Indian Army in the North East.