Good News for ECHS Beneficiaries Seeking Ayurvedic Treatment
Thousands of Ex-Servicemen and their dependents suffering from chronic illnesses often look beyond conventional treatment methods in search of long-term relief. While modern medicine has made remarkable advances, certain chronic and lifestyle-related diseases require a more holistic approach involving diet, yoga, naturopathy, and Ayurveda.
To address such health concerns, Patanjali Yogpeeth has established specialized Ayurvedic wellness centres known as Yoggram, where patients receive integrated treatment through Ayurveda, Panchakarma, Yoga, and Naturopathy.
Free Ayurvedic Treatment for Ex-Servicemen? ECHS Beneficiaries Can Access Patanjali Yoggram Through This Process
What many ECHS beneficiaries do not know is that treatment at Yoggram, Haridwar can be availed through the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) by following a prescribed referral process. This can significantly reduce treatment expenses that would otherwise be borne by the patient.
In this article, we explain the complete procedure, eligibility conditions, admission process, and important rules for obtaining AYUSH treatment at Patanjali Yoggram under ECHS.
What is Patanjali Yoggram?
Yoggram is a specialized healthcare and wellness centre established by Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Yogpeeth. The centre combines traditional Indian systems of medicine with modern diagnostic methods to provide holistic treatment for various chronic diseases. The treatment generally includes:
Ayurvedic medicines
Panchakarma therapies
Yoga sessions
Naturopathy treatments
Dietary management
Lifestyle modification programs
Many patients suffering from diabetes, obesity, arthritis, hypertension, digestive disorders, respiratory illnesses, and stress-related conditions seek treatment at Yoggram.
Can ECHS Beneficiaries Avail Treatment at Yoggram?
Yes. ECHS beneficiaries can avail AYUSH treatment at Yoggram, Haridwar through the referral system prescribed by the Ministry of Defence and ECHS authorities. However, treatment is not automatic. Beneficiaries must first obtain recommendations from a Government AYUSH Doctor and complete the referral formalities through their ECHS Polyclinic.
Step-by-Step Procedure for ECHS Referral to Yoggram Haridwar
Regional Centre ECHS Dehradun has laid down a detailed procedure for beneficiaries seeking AYUSH treatment at Yoggram.
Step 1: Consult a Government AYUSH Doctor
The beneficiary must physically consult a Government AYUSH Doctor at a Government Hospital or Government AYUSH Clinic.
The doctor should:
Examine the patient.
Diagnose the disease.
Recommend AYUSH treatment.
Specify the AYUSH specialty.
Mention the recommended duration of admission.
Step 2: Report to the Primary ECHS Polyclinic
After obtaining the prescription, the beneficiary should visit the parent ECHS Polyclinic with the Government AYUSH Doctor’s recommendation.
Step 3: Submit Permission for Change of Treatment System
The beneficiary must submit a written request seeking permission to change the treatment system from Allopathy to AYUSH for the specific disease.
The Medical Officer (MO) of the ECHS Polyclinic will record the AYUSH treatment details in the patient’s treatment book.
Step 4: Referral Request Generation
The Primary ECHS Polyclinic will generate a Polyclinic-to-Polyclinic referral request to one of the following:
ECHS Polyclinic Dehradun
ECHS Polyclinic Roorkee
ECHS Polyclinic Raiwala
Step 5: Approval of Referral
After approval from the designated Polyclinic, the Primary Polyclinic will issue an IPD (Indoor Patient Department) referral for AYUSH treatment.
Step 6: Confirm Bed Availability at Yoggram
Before proceeding to Yoggram, the beneficiary must confirm bed availability through:
Yoggram IVRS
Mobile Helpline
This step is mandatory to avoid inconvenience.
Step 7: Report to Yoggram ECHS Help Desk
After receiving confirmation, the beneficiary should report to the ECHS Help Desk at Yogpeeth-I, Haridwar along with all referral documents. The admission process will then be completed by the concerned authorities.
Important Conditions for AYUSH Treatment Under ECHS
ECHS beneficiaries must carefully note the following conditions before applying.
1. Treatment is Disease-Specific
AYUSH treatment is approved only for a specific disease.
It cannot be availed for general wellness, rejuvenation, relaxation, or preventive health programs.
2. Government AYUSH Prescription is Mandatory
A prescription from a Government AYUSH Doctor is compulsory.
Without such recommendation, treatment at any empanelled AYUSH hospital cannot be approved under ECHS.
3. Initial Admission Period
The initial admission generally ranges from:
- One week
- Two weeks
depending upon the medical condition and treatment plan.
4. Maximum Duration of Treatment
The prescribed treatment duration should not exceed:
| Treatment Type | Maximum Duration |
| Ayurveda | 34 Days |
| Yoga & Naturopathy | 28 Days |
Any extension beyond the approved period requires recommendation from the Medical Officer of the ECHS Polyclinic.
5. Six-Month Gap Rule
A minimum gap of six months must be maintained before repeating treatment under:
Ayurveda
Yoga & Naturopathy
Unani
Siddha
The exception applies only to certain para-surgical procedures where follow-up treatment is medically required.
Examples include:
Kshara Sutra
Agnikarma
Ksharakarma
Beneficiaries must provide an undertaking declaring whether they have undergone Yoga or Naturopathy treatment during the previous six months.
6. AYUSH Medicines Reimbursement
Medicines prescribed by the AYUSH doctor of the empanelled hospital are generally procured by the patient. Reimbursement is admissible based on the rates approved by: Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL). Beneficiaries should therefore preserve all prescriptions and purchase bills.
7. Switching Between Allopathy and AYUSH
ECHS has prescribed a mandatory cooling-off period. A minimum gap of three months must be observed when switching : From Allopathy to AYUSH, or From AYUSH to Allopathy for treatment of the same disease.
Diseases for Which AYUSH Treatment May Be Beneficial
Patients often seek AYUSH treatment for :
Diabetes
Arthritis and Joint Pain
Cervical and Lumbar Spondylosis
Obesity
Hypertension
Digestive Disorders
Respiratory Diseases
Skin Disorders
Stress and Anxiety
Lifestyle Diseases
Final approval, however, depends upon medical recommendation and ECHS guidelines.
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Key Documents Required
Before reporting to Yoggram, beneficiaries should keep the following documents ready:
ECHS Card
Government AYUSH Doctor’s Prescription
Referral from ECHS Polyclinic
Treatment Book
Identity Proof
Previous Medical Records
Undertaking regarding previous AYUSH treatment
What we learnt from this Article
The facility of AYUSH treatment at Patanjali Yoggram under ECHS offers a valuable healthcare option for Ex-Servicemen and their dependents suffering from chronic illnesses. Through proper referral by a Government AYUSH Doctor and approval from ECHS authorities, eligible beneficiaries can access specialized Ayurvedic, Yoga, and Naturopathy treatments that may otherwise involve substantial expenditure.
Beneficiaries are advised to strictly follow the referral procedure, maintain the prescribed treatment intervals, and obtain all necessary approvals before proceeding to Yoggram, Haridwar. For many veterans seeking holistic healing and long-term wellness, this facility can serve as an effective complement to conventional medical treatment. To get such important information from Exservicemen Info Club, you may stay connected with us through our WhatsApp Channel.