Udupi Awaits ESI Hospital: Construction yet to begin three years since approval

Team Udayavani, Dec 9, 2024, 3:36 PM IST

Representative image (credit: iStock)

Udupi: Despite being approved three years ago, construction work for a 100-bed Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) hospital in the district is yet to commence.

The hospital, proposed at an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore, includes 32 residential quarters and is planned on six acres of land in Waramballi. While tenders for construction have reportedly been initiated, work is yet to begin. Over one lakh workers in the district await this essential healthcare facility.

Hospital Approved in 2022

In June 2022, during its 188th meeting, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) approved the establishment of 23 new hospitals and 62 dispensaries across the country. Among these, Udupi and Tumakuru districts in Karnataka were allotted ESI hospitals, thanks to the recommendations of then-Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje. However, the construction process for Udupi’s hospital is still pending.

Why Udupi Needs an ESI Hospital

With over 60,000 ESI members in the district, Udupi qualifies for a dedicated ESI hospital. The region is home to hundreds of small, medium, and large-scale industries employing lakhs of workers who contribute to the ESI scheme. Currently, workers face challenges in accessing proper healthcare through ESI facilities. Labor unions emphasize that setting up the hospital with necessary infrastructure will benefit economically weaker workers.

 While ESI hospitals are typically managed by the ESIC at the national level, labor unions are demanding state government oversight for the Udupi hospital. They argue that state-level management would ensure local recruitment, benefiting the community.

Delays Despite Adequate Funds

The ESI Corporation reportedly has sufficient funds, with over 40% of resources available. Workers question the delay in initiating construction despite financial readiness. ESI hospitals offer free treatment for illnesses, accidents, and emergencies, and workers are urging swift action to make these benefits accessible.

Lack of Facilities in Existing Dispensaries

Udupi district has ESI dispensaries in Udupi, Manipal, Karkala, and Kundapura. However, these centers lack adequate staff, with only minimal personnel managing essential operations like dispensing medicines and handling records. Full-time doctors are urgently needed in these dispensaries.

From December 1, state-wide general service registrations under the ESI scheme have been halted due to the government’s failure to renew service agreements. The existing agreement ended on November 30, 2023, causing disruptions in medical services for workers.

Construction to Begin Soon

“Owing to inefficiency by the previous contractor, the project had to be re-tendered. Recent discussions with the Principal Secretary of the Labor Department indicate that the tendering process will be completed within 45 days, after which construction will begin,” said Kota Srinivas Poojary, Member of Parliament.