A former Indian Navy officer has called for urgent reforms to the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), citing serious issues including unpaid hospital bills and disrupted care for veterans. Vikram W Karve emphasized the need for timely payments to empaneled hospitals, echoing concerns raised by Admiral Arun Prakash regarding thousands of veterans in Goa lacking medical support due to funding blockages by the Ministry of Defence. Other retired officers highlighted systemic failures, questioning the government’s obligation to ensure uninterrupted healthcare for military personnel. The situation underscores the critical need for the government to enhance healthcare support for veterans, ensuring they receive the necessary medical services they have earned through their service.