7 New ESIC Healthcare Facilities to Open Across 6 States: Check Who Is Eligible and How Workers Will Benefit

The Centre is set to strengthen healthcare access for organised sector workers by inaugurating seven new Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) healthcare facilities across six states. Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will dedicate the projects to the public from Hyderabad on July 14.

7 New ESIC Hospitals, OPDs to Open Across 6 States; Check Who Will Benefit

Developed at an investment of around Rs 668 crore, the new hospitals, outpatient departments (OPDs) and dispensaries are expected to benefit nearly 53 lakh insured persons and their family members under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) scheme.

The expansion comes as the government looks to improve healthcare infrastructure in major industrial and manufacturing hubs, where lakhs of employees depend on ESIC hospitals for affordable treatment.

What is ESIC?

The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment that administers the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) scheme.

Launched under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948, the scheme provides social security and comprehensive medical care to employees working in the organised sector. Besides healthcare, it also offers financial assistance during sickness, maternity, disability, workplace injuries and death due to employment-related causes.

Today, ESIC operates one of India's largest social security healthcare networks through hospitals, medical colleges, dispensaries and tie-up hospitals across the country.

Who is eligible for ESIC benefits?

The scheme primarily covers employees working in factories, companies, shops, hotels, restaurants, educational institutions, hospitals, cinemas, newspapers and several other establishments notified under the ESI Act.

At present, employees earning wages up to the prescribed ESIC wage ceiling notified by the government are eligible to be covered under the scheme. Once enrolled, the employee receives a unique insurance number that remains valid throughout their working life, irrespective of changes in employment.

The benefits are not limited to employees alone. Their dependants-including spouses, children and eligible parents-can also receive medical treatment through ESIC hospitals and dispensaries.

How to register for ESIC? Check Process

Employees do not have to register individually.

Registration is carried out by the employer after the establishment is covered under the ESI Act.

The process generally involves:

• The employer registering the establishment on the ESIC portal.

• Employee details being uploaded online.

• Generation of a unique Insurance Number (IP Number).

• Issuance of an e-Pehchan Card, which acts as the beneficiary's health card.

After registration, insured employees can visit any ESIC dispensary or hospital using their insurance number or e-Pehchan card to receive treatment.

New ESIC facilities in Telangana, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat & Rajasthan

The seven facilities will be inaugurated across Telangana, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Hyderabad ESCI New Facilities: The biggest project is the new OPD Block at ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad, built at a cost of more than Rs 211 crore. The facility includes specialist OPDs, diagnostic services, rehabilitation units, AYUSH departments, ICU and NICU beds, lecture theatres and additional inpatient capacity. It is expected to serve more than 12.3 lakh beneficiaries across Telangana.

A new ESIC Hospital at Beltola will improve healthcare access for insured workers across Assam while also catering to beneficiaries from Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

ESI New Facilities in Tamil Nadu: Sriperumbudur-one of India's largest electronics and manufacturing hubs-will get a new 100-bed ESIC hospital equipped with emergency services, labour rooms, operation theatres, ICU facilities, laboratories and diagnostic centres for more than 5.5 lakh insured workers.

Another ESIS Hospital at Rajamahendravaram in Andhra Pradesh will strengthen healthcare services for over 2.5 lakh beneficiaries with modern OPDs and modular operation theatres.

Gujarat's Surendranagar will receive an integrated ESI Dispensary and Branch Office that will offer medical consultations, medicines and social security services under one roof.

In Rajasthan, two facilities are being inaugurated-an ESI Dispensary and Branch Office at Udyog Nagar in Kota, which will cater to nearly 75,000 insured workers and around 2.9 lakh dependants, and an ESI Dispensary at Bhawani Mandi to support employees working in the region's textile industry.

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