Medical Facilities to Personnel of Armed Forces

Medical Facilities to Personnel of Armed Forces

At present, treatment facilities through Indian Systems of medicine are not available in the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) hospitals for the reasons that the structure of AFMS revolves on combat medical and surgical requirements and the basic ethos of keeping the service personnel fighting fit at all times.

Earlier, two Ayurveda clinics – one at Base Hospital, Delhi and another at Command Hospital (Southern Command), Pune were started in the year 2004 on trial basis for a period of one year. On completion of the trial period, the issue of continuation of these clinics was reviewed and it was decided to discontinue the same for the reasons mentioned above.

However, it has again been decided to open two AYUSH lifestyle centres – one at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi and another at Air Force Hospital, Hindon on trial basis.

At present, there are no provisions for reimbursement of medical expenses for treatment under Indian Systems of medicine.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Col. Sonaram Choudhary and Shri P. Karunakaran in Lok Sabha today.

-PIB