Chandigarh: 28 June 2008: In a simple but impressive ceremony Lieutenant General J P Singh, General Officer Commanding KHARGA Corps, inaugurated the new building of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic at Ropar in Punjab today. He dedicated the polyclinic to the service of defence veterans and their dependents, who were present in large numbers on the occasion.
The Polyclinic at Ropar was one of the first to be established in Punjab in January 2004. Starting with a humble beginning of handling 10 to 15 patients a day, the polyclinic presently gets around 150 patients in a day. Besides the district of Ropar, the polyclinic also acts as a hub to provide medicare to approximately 5000 ex-serviceman and their dependents from the areas of Nangal, Nawan Shahar, Mohali, Ludhiana, Una and Solan (Nalagarh). Significantly, this ECHS Polyclinic at Ropar is located in a non military station.
Speaking on the occasion, the General Officer Commanding Kharga Corps called upon the ex-serviceman to avail this facility as it was a unique scheme provided by the government acceding to the long outstanding demand of the armed forces. He said that although the scheme is in its infancy, but it has very rapidly adjusted to the need of the ex-serviceman.
Emphasising upon the importance of creating a disciplined and courteous environment for allowing the polyclinic staff to discharge their duties, the GOC called upon the ECHS staff to put in their best to make the endeavour a success.
On the occasion, Gen Singh interacted with the ex-servicemen and invited suggestions from them for further improving the set up. The General Officer appreciated many of the suggestions given by them and promised to take affirmative
action on them.
Among the facilities presently available at the polyclinic is an X-Ray machine, an ECG facility, a physiotherapy block, laboratory for the basic tests and a dental block. The clinic has also been provided an ambulance for the convenience of those patients who have to be shifted to the local referral hospitals.
The Polyclinic has been constructed and made functional in a record time due to the personal involvement of Brigadier K Majumdar, Cdr, PH& HP (I) Sub Area.