Date:04/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/04/stories/2006070410170300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

ESI hospitals' healthcare status decried

Staff Reporter

Government urged to permit employers to take care of staff's medical needs

ESI running 140 hospitals while need is for 700
Lack of equipment makes ESI pass on the patient to State-run hospitals

Payment hassles due to ESI guidelines at corporate hospitals

VIJAYAWADA: Hospitals being run by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) are failing to meet the needs of contributors in general and of those working in the transport sector in particular. The Andhra Chamber of Commerce and Industry has asked the Government to permit the employers to provide healthcare to their staff on their own, on an experimental basis.

Shortage of hospitals

President of the Chamber M.Rajaiah in a statement here on Monday, said that ESI hospitals and dispensaries were unable to meet the requirements of contributors. While at least 700 hospitals and dispensaries were required in the State, the ESI was running only 140. There were no ESI hospitals or dispensaries in several important towns.

ESI hospitals required equipment and facilities and should be upgraded immediatelyEmployees working in transport sector were facing problems too. As per ESIC rules, the contributor should be admitted only at a designated ESI hospital..