In a significant development for veterans in Goa, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has personally intervened to address the long-standing issue of delayed medical payments under a key healthcare scheme for ex-servicemen.
Assurance Given on Sidelines of Coast Guard Event
The matter was raised directly with the Defence Minister by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and South Goa Member of Parliament Captain (Retired) Viriato Fernandes. The discussion took place on Monday on the sidelines of the commissioning ceremony for an Indian Coast Guard pollution control vessel in Vasco. The leaders highlighted the critical situation faced by veterans and their families due to unpaid bills under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).
The urgency of the issue was underscored by a recent media report about a widow's cancer treatment being halted at Manipal Hospitals in Dona Paula because of payment delays. This case brought the systemic problem into sharp focus, prompting immediate action from the state's representatives.
Immediate Action and Future Safeguards Promised
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh acknowledged the concerns and provided concrete assurances. He promised Chief Minister Sawant that all pending payments to the hospitals would be cleared without further delay. Furthermore, he assured that the vital cashless treatment facility at Goa's only ECHS-empanelled hospital, Manipal Hospital, would be restored swiftly.
"A lot of payments at Manipal Hospital are due. We are continuously following up on this issue," stated CM Sawant after the meeting. "He (Rajnath Singh) personally assured me that, as quickly as possible, the pending payment will be cleared so that treatment is not held up." Sawant added that he would also personally speak to the hospital management to request their cooperation, conveying the defence minister's guarantee of prompt payment.
Echoing this, MP Viriato Fernandes confirmed, "The defence minister said that the funds were cleared and that the money will be immediately released." Fernandes also took the opportunity to submit his recommendations to the minister on structural improvements to prevent such fund shortages for private hospitals under the ECHS in the future.
Broader Context and Resolution
The issue had been formally highlighted to the state government by the United Veterans Association, indicating widespread distress among the ex-servicemen community in Goa. The ECHS is a crucial scheme providing healthcare to retired defence personnel and their dependents, and disruptions in cashless treatment create significant financial and emotional hardship.
The direct intervention by the Defence Minister signals a high-priority resolution to the problem. The immediate clearance of dues and the resumption of cashless services at Manipal Hospital are expected to provide much-needed relief to veterans and their families, ensuring their medical treatments continue uninterrupted.
