NEW ECHS CARD

ECHS is planning to introduce new card with 32 kb memory chip. At present the master card issued to the primary member has all the details of his dependents also. Some of us have applied for add on cards for our spouses but most of the ESM have only one card for all their dependents.


The new software under production / trials envisages use of individual card for each user so that the individuals photo and medical details can be recorded in the card. This means that if there are 3 dependents to an ESM, he will have to perforce apply for and get four cards for getting treatment in ECHS polyclinics. All ESm who are applying for membership after 01 jun 10 will get only the new card.

The old card which we are all having and using will continue to be in use and we will continue to get treatment with that card.

The old card was not used to its full potential due to certain limitations in the software and lack of knowledge / familiarity of the software. The old card is also usable at all ECHS polyclinics across the country.

If an ESM goes for treatment to any polyclinic, which is not his parent polyclinic, on insertion of the card in the reader, a pop up window appears statitng that " the parent polyclinic code is different. Do you want to change the code." If YES is selected the code gets changed to the new polyclinic.If NO is selected the code does not change.In spite of the yes / no selection the prescription slip gets printed and we can avail treatment.

The present card also allows entering of the medical details in the card. The medical details entred in the card is printed in the subsequent prescription slips. This feature of the software is not being used at all more due to administrative difficulties. The ESM will have to come back to the reception after treatment and get his card updated. The ESM do not have the inclination and the Polyclinic staff lack patience to do this.

I request all of you to get your card updated , if need be by making a separate visit to the polyclinic, as this information will come handy at time of emergency. Those of us who have drug allergy please ensure that the detail is entered in the card.

Cdr V Vaidyanathan IN (Retd)
Phone 0431 2351963
Mobile +91 94431 51088