Government to implement ESI Scheme across India by year-end, says Union Minister

To augment medical care and service delivery mechanism the government has taken significant decisions at the 188th meeting of ESIC, which will be implemented in the entire country by the end of year 2022, Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Labour& Employment, Environment, Forest & Climate Change said in 188th meeting held on Sunday

ESI Corporation to establish 23 new 100 bedded hospitals and 62 dispensaries as well as to start certificate courses in its medical colleges for health care link workers, the minister said.

He added, “Beneficiaries of ESI Scheme to get cashless Medical Care Services through Ayushman Bharat PMJAY empaneled Hospitals in the areas where ESIC’s own Health Care Facilities are limited.”

The partially implemented and non-implemented districts across the country will be fully covered by the end of year 2022, Yadav also said. Presently, ESI Scheme is fully implemented in 443 districts and partially implemented in 153 districts, whereas 148 districts are not covered under ESI Scheme.

The medical care services will be provided through establishing new DCBOs, empaneling IMP, and tie-up Hospitals of Ayushman Bharat PMJAY.

These hospitals and dispensaries will ensure the delivery of quality medical care service to the insured workers and their dependents in the close vicinity of their residence and will also enhance clientele satisfaction.

ESIC is going to start Certificate Courses in 10 disciplines in three of its Medical Colleges at Faridabad, Sanathnagar (Hyderabad) and K.K.Nagar (Chennai)  for Health Care Link Workers, as a pilot project to fulfil the growing need for skilled manpower in Health Care sectors and narrow the existing gap between the demand and supply of skilled manpower.

To provide quality medical care, ESIC is augmenting its infrastructure by setting-up new hospitals and upgrading the existing ones.

Yadav informed that 6400 vacancies for different posts have been advertised by ESIC in last eight months which includes more than 2000 Doctors/Teaching faculty.