On 13th and 18th
May 2023, as part of the ECHS Sparsh Programme, sixteen students from class X,
XI, XII embarked on a visit to the ECHS clinic in Noida. This volunteering
initiative, initiated by our school, aimed to familiarize the students with the
history, purpose, and functioning of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health
Scheme (ECHS). During their one-hour visit from 10 am to 11 am, they were
assigned various tasks at different sections of the clinic, such as the
registration office, medicine dispensary, laboratory, dental clinic,
physiotherapy and more. Upon arriving at the clinic, they were introduced to
the doctors and staff members and were divided into a pair and assigned their
respective tasks. One of their primary responsibilities was to guide patients
to the appropriate rooms and assist them with any queries they had. They
provided directions to the dispensary, read their token numbers, and helped
them locate their respective doctors. Throughout the visit they had the
opportunity to engage with many patients who were curious to see young students
in school uniforms at the clinic, and they took the chance to explain the
purpose of our program to them. The
gratitude and appreciation expressed by the patients were truly heartwarming
and made them realize the impact a small gesture of assistance can have on
someone’s day. Students experience in the ECHS Sparsh Clinic was truly
enlightening and fulfilling. Serving and assisting the patients at the clinic,
interacting with the doctors and staff members, and learning about the various
aspects of healthcare provision deepened their appreciation for the
contributions of healthcare professionals. They were grateful for the
opportunity to be part of this initiative and hope to complete the required 25
hours of active service.