ESI Hospital Vijayawada to be upgraded to 300-bed Hospital
Vijayawada: Minister for Labour and Factories, Vasamsetti Subhash has inaugurated the new premises of the Employees State Insurance (ESI) Hospital at Gunadala in Vijayawada. He announced that the 110-bed ESI hospital in Vijayawada will be upgraded to a 300-bed hospital.
The Minister stated that the hospital has been serving thousands of labour families since 1968, now this will be expanded to a 300-bed capacity. This increasing bed capacity will provide more space to accommodate patients and reduce waiting times for treatment. He further stated that all ESI hospitals across the state would undergo phased development, with comprehensive measures being implemented to ensure this enhancement. This expansion is set to enhance the hospital's capacity and improve healthcare services for the growing population of the region.
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Minister Subhash emphasized that all ESI hospitals will be upgraded to provide comprehensive treatment for various diseases and to ensure prompt medical services for labour families. He also criticized the previous YSRC government for neglecting ESI hospitals over the past five years. He highlighted the issues which caused significant difficulties for the workers such as inadequate equipment and unfilled job vacancies. He also revealed that a vigilance inquiry has been launched to investigate irregularities related to YSR Bhima. This YSR Bhima has allegedly set up its own insurance company, raising concerns about its practices.
Misappropriating funds received from the Centre had caused significant frustration within the labour department. Subhas has accused YSRC of this. He also indicated that efforts are actively underway to expand the ESI scheme to cover every organization with 10 or more workers, intending to significantly boost membership.
According to The New Indian Express, Gadde Rammehan Rao, the MLA of Vijayawada East Constituency has stated that the government would continue to prioritise the labour sector after agriculture. He said that both Central and State governments would allocate funds for labour welfare. Labour, Industries, Boilers, and IMS Secretary M Naik, MLC P Ashok Babu, Karmik Rajya Bima Medical Services Director V Anjaneulu, ESIC Regional Director A Venugopal, and officials from various departments were present.
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