Lt Gen Rajesh Sethi Reviews ECHS Polyclinic Healthcare Facilities at Shakurbasti, New Delhi
Lieutenant General Rajesh Sethi, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Delhi Area, visited the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic at Shakurbasti to review its functioning and assess the medical services being provided to veterans and other eligible beneficiaries.
The visit focused on how effectively the polyclinic was delivering healthcare, with Lt Gen Sethi taking stock of the overall facilities available to ECHS beneficiaries and the experience of those who come to the centre for treatment and consultation. He also met staff members to understand their day-to-day responsibilities and the manner in which they support the ex-servicemen community.
During the interaction, the GOC appreciated the dedication and commitment shown by the polyclinic staff in serving veterans and their dependants. He stressed that ECHS facilities must remain efficient, responsive and closely aligned with the needs of beneficiaries, especially those who depend on regular medical attention.
The Shakurbasti visit also reflected the Indian Army’s continuing emphasis on veteran welfare. Healthcare support after retirement remains a critical part of the military’s responsibility towards those who have served in uniform, and ECHS is one of the key mechanisms through which that support is delivered.
ECHS is intended to provide medical services to eligible Armed Forces veterans and their dependants through a nationwide network of polyclinics and empanelled healthcare institutions. For a large community of retired military personnel and family members, the system serves as an important link to accessible treatment across the country.
Polyclinics such as the one at Shakurbasti are often the first point of contact for beneficiaries seeking medical care. They provide outpatient services and, when required, help arrange referrals for specialised treatment at other facilities. For many elderly veterans, this local access is especially important because it supports routine consultations, medicines, diagnostic tests and continuing care for age-related health issues.
Lt Gen Sethi’s emphasis on beneficiary-focused care highlighted the need for timely medical assistance and smooth administrative processes so that veterans do not face unnecessary hurdles while accessing treatment. His interaction with the polyclinic team also offered an opportunity to understand ground-level challenges and identify areas where service delivery can be strengthened.
The visit underlined the broader role of the Armed Forces support system, which does not end when service personnel retire. Veteran welfare remains an important part of that framework, and healthcare through ECHS is among its most significant components.
By reviewing the functioning of the Shakurbasti polyclinic, acknowledging the efforts of its staff and reiterating the need for efficiency and responsiveness, Lt Gen Rajesh Sethi reinforced the focus on keeping veterans and their dependants at the centre of ECHS healthcare delivery.
