Non-insured persons can now avail medical services from underutilized ESIC hospitals

NEW DELHI: In a move that will open up healthcare facilities for common man at subsidised rates, labour ministry has decided to allow non-insured persons to avail medical services from underutilized ESIC hospitals.

“It will immensely help common people get the quality medical care at very low cost. Besides, it will ensure full utilization of resources of hospital for people’s cause,” labour ministry said.

A decision to this effect was taken at the 176th meeting of the Employee State Insurance Corporation under the chairmanship of labour minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar.

As per the decidion, common man can avail medical services at ESIC hospitals at subsidised rates. This would include Rs 10 for OPD Consultation and only 25% of CGHS package rates for admitted patients. However, medicines would be provided on actual rate initially for one year on pilot basis.

According to labour ministry, ESIC has approved hiring full time contractual specialists/super specialists in the department of anaesthesia, medicine, surgery, pediatrics, gynaecology, ortho, cardiology, nephrology and medical oncology after inviting open tender to meet the shortage of specialist/super specialist doctors in some of the ESIC Hospitals.

Besides, it was decided to enhance the exemption limit for payment of employees’ share of contribution from Rs 137 to Rs 176 in view of the rise in the National Floor Level Minimum Wages.