Context:

Recently, the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare launched a pilot project of the Electronic Services e-Health Assistance and Tele-consultation (E-SeHAT) service.

More on the news

• E-SeHAT aims to provide health care services to Ex-Servicemen and their dependents through safe and structured video based clinical consultation.
• This would enable ECHS beneficiaries to have tele-consultations for medical treatment without needing to visit the ECHS Polyclinic.
• It is in line with the Tele-medicines practice guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in March 2020. 
• E-SeHAT launched 12 Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinics across the country on July 30, 2024.
• Seven ECHS Polyclinics were launched in Delhi NCR (Shakurbasti, Timarpur, Faridabad, Palwal, Khanpur, East Delhi and Hindon) and five in remote locations of Baramulla, Imphal, Churachandpur, Dimapur and Aizawal. 
• In November of this year, E-SeHAT will be launched all over India.
• The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare announced that the SeHAT-OPD for Tri-services Teleconsultation Service, developed by C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) Mohali has been successfully implemented in many locations. 
• However, the software was not initially integrated with the ECHS database of veterans and their families. 
• To ensure seamless integration, various modules of the software, such as medical records and e-prescriptions, have now been synced with the ECHS database.
• It aligns with the government's Digital India vision by promoting digital inclusivity and efficiency in accessing public services.

Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS)

• • The ECHS was launched with effect from 01 Apr 2003
• • Under the scheme, ex-servicemen pensioners and their dependents who were only entitled to treatment in service hospitals are now authorised to receive treatment, not only in service hospitals but also in civil/private hospitals. 
• • The ECHS Central Organisation is located in Delhi and functions under the Chief of Staff Committee (COSC).