ESI hospital awaits upgrade

KOCHI: When Union minister of state for labour and employment Bandaru Dattatreya visited ESI Hospital Pathalam, one of the biggest ESI hospitals in Kerala, in April, he promised immediate measures to upgrade it as a super speciality hospital.  But, seven months after his announcement, the hospital, depended by thousands of labourers from the industrial areas of Eloor and Edayar, still lacks even basic facilities.  During the minister's visit, the Hospital Development Society had brought the poor condition of its infrastructure facilities to his attention. 

The hospital authorities stressed the need to have a dialysis unit, a cardiac department with facilities like cath lab, department of orthopaedics and a panchakarma centre immediately. "However, not even a single proposal has been realised. The government could have increased the number of beds considering the high number of patients. But, still the hospital has only 100 beds, and most often patients have to lie on the floor. There is no ICU or other such facilities," said Dr Neena, the deputy superintendent.

With no dialysis centre, it is referring kidney patients to empanelled private hospitals. After the minister's visit, the hospital authorities submitted a detailed proposal to the Union government urging immediate follow-up measures. But nothing has happened, she said. Meanwhile, V. Radhakrishnan, ESI corporation director board member told DC that it would meet in New Delhi on December 6 and finalise the plan of action to realise the project proposals.  "Pathalam ESI hospital, with 355 staff, is one of the biggest ESI hospitals in the state situated in the industrial hub. Considering the significance, super speciality departments have to be set up here," he said.