The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) introduced its Electronic Services e-Health Assistance and Tele-consultation (E-SeHAT) module on July 30. This new tele-consultation feature allows ECHS beneficiaries to receive online medical consultations from their homes, eliminating the need to visit ECHS Polyclinics. The E-SeHAT module aims to provide secure and structured video-based clinical consultations.
The pilot phase has begun with 12 ECHS Polyclinics, including those in remote locations such as Baramulla, Imphal, Churachandpur, Dimapur, and Aizawl. These centres have already conducted remote teleconsultations for beneficiaries in distant areas in preparation for the nationwide rollout scheduled for November 2024. Major General Manoj Natarajan, Managing Director of the Central Organisation Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, observed the inaugural pilot testing at the Imphal ECHS Polyclinic.
The E-SeHAT module follows telemedicine practice guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in consultation with NITI Aayog of March 2020. To facilitate the smooth implementation and expansion of the project, IT hardware and equipment have been distributed to all 427 ECHS Polyclinics, and staff have received training to provide online medical consultations. Future phases of the initiative will introduce pre-consultation vital checks, home delivery of medicines, and referrals to empanelled hospitals by Medical Officers.
