Visakhapatnam: Central government is awaiting a decision from the Andhra Pradesh administration on transferring management of ESI hospital to the Employee State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to improve medical services for ESI beneficiaries in the state.
Responding to a question by BJP Rajya Sabha member G.V.L. Narasimha Rao, union minister of state for labour Rameswar Teli said presently, there are four ESI hospitals operating in Andhra Pradesh – Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Rajamahendravaram and Vijayawada. All these hospitals are administered by the state government.
The union minister confirmed that central government had formally requested AP government on January 2, 2023, to transfer the administration of these hospitals to ESIC. The aim behind this proposal is to ensure more adequate and efficient medical services for ESI beneficiaries in the unorganised sector.
However, despite the formal request, the state government is yet to respond to the central government's proposal.
Regarding Visakhapatnam, Rameswar Teli said presently, a 200-bed ESI hospital is operating in the city. Furthermore, a larger 400-bed hospital is being constructed in Sheelanagar apart from a 30-bed facility in Atchutapuram. Both these works have been entrusted to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).
Raising the issue, BJP MP Narasimha Rao expressed concern over substandard medical services being provided in the current ESI hospitals. He urged the state government to swiftly consent to the central government's proposal for handing over the running of these hospitals to ESIC.
Narasimha Rao believes this transition will significantly benefit the insured individuals from the unorganised sector, by making quality healthcare services accessible to them.
