New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Defence has extended medicare facilities of unmarried permanently disabled and financially dependent sons of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) beneficiaries, even after attaining the age of 25 years.
In an official statement, the Defence Ministry said, “Till now, unmarried permanently disabled and financially dependent sons of ECHS beneficiaries, after attaining the age of 25 years, are not considered dependant and hence were not eligible under ECHS.”
This is as per the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Rules which are followed by ECHS.
Since January 1, 2020, the CGHS has declared such sons of CGHS beneficiaries who have become disabled after attaining the age of 25 years, dependant and hence eligible for availing CGHS benefits subject to fulfillment of conditions laid down in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) Office Memorandum (OM).
It has now been decided by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW), to treat unmarried permanently disabled and financially dependent sons of ECHS beneficiaries who have become disabled after attaining the age of 25 years as a dependant and hence eligible for availing benefits under ECHS subject to fulfilment of conditions laid down in the MoHFW OM of May 7, 2018, read an official statement by the Ministry of Defence.
-RJV/ARK
