Cancer Treatment of Non-Pensioner ESM of All Ranking and their Dependants: Rajyasabha Unstarred Question 53
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 53
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20! JULY, 202
CANCER TREATMENT OF NON-PENSIONER ESM OF ALL RANKING AND THEIR DEPENDANTS
53. DR. BHIM SINGH:
Will the Minister of Defence be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen (ESM) of all ranks and their dependants are provided financial assistance of only up to 75,000 per annum for cancer treatment, if so, whether, in view of the exorbitant cost of cancer treatment, there is any proposal to enhance this grossly inadequate amount; and
(b) whether, due to this inadequate amount of financial assistance, economically weaker Ex-Servicemen are facing serious hardships such as being compelled to discontinue their cancer treatment midway, and whether Government proposes to ensure 100 per cent cashless treatment for them?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI SANJAY SETH)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(a) and (b) The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) provides quality medical care to Ex-Servicemen (ESM) and their dependents. The Scheme achieves this by utilizing the existing medical infrastructure of the Armed Forces, supplemented by private empanelled and government hospitals across the country for catering to a total beneficiary base of approximately 64 lakhs, including their dependents. The coverage under ECHS was widened in 2019 to include most non-pensioners, including pre-mature retirees and their spouses. Non-pensioners who are enrolled with the ECHS are allowed to take treatment from ECHS empanelled medical facilities on reimbursement basis for all ailments including cancer.
Since 2006, Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) has a scheme for providing financial assistance of upto Rs 75,000 per annum for cancer treatment to non-pensioner ESM and their dependents who are not covered by ECHS or any other Government Scheme. Based on data received from KSB Sectt, only very few non-pensioner ESM are seeking welfare support under this scheme.
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