The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW), Ministry of Defence, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Quality Council of India (QCI) to strengthen the delivery of pension, healthcare, resettlement, and welfare services for over 63 lakh veterans and their dependents.
According to a release from the Ministry of Defence, under the MoU, QCI will support DESW in digital evaluations, impact assessments, and evidence-based policy recommendations.
In return, DESW will facilitate data access and stakeholder coordination with state governments, zila sainik boards, Armed Forces Headquarters, and empanelled hospitals.
This will strengthen healthcare delivery and expand the scope of re-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for veterans, besides reinforcing institutional frameworks of the state and District Sainik Boards.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, DESW Secretary Niten Chandra emphasised the importance of digital platforms, AI applications, and social media in enhancing outreach and ensuring efficient service delivery. He highlighted that the collaboration with QCI would help in system optimisation, strength monitoring, and ensuring evidence-based improvements across schemes.
The MoU was signed and exchanged on Tuesday by Joint Secretary and OSD, DESW, PP Sharma, and Secretary General, QCI, Chakravarthy Kannan, in the presence of senior officials from DESW, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, Kendriya Sainik Board, Service Headquarters, National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, and QCI.