(a) whether the Government are aware of poor conditions and
inadequate facilities in ESI hospitals in the country;
(b) if so, whether the Government propose to allocate adequate
funds for modernisation of such hospitals;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI MUNI LALL)
(a) to (d): The provision of medical care under the ESI Scheme
is being administered by the State governments/UT Administrations
except in Delhi and NOIDA where it is being administered by the ESIC
direct. However the Corporation sees to it that the insured persons
do get proper medical care under the ESI Scheme. For this purpose
the Corporation has prescribed norms/ guidelines with regard to
staffing and equipping of ESI hospitals/dispensaries . The
Corporation constructs hospitals/dispensaries at its own cost and
also meets 7/8 of the expenditure incurred on ESI medical care.
There have been sporadic complaints about non-availability of
doctors, shortage of medicines, equipments, dressings etc. in ESI
Hospitals. Such complaints as and when received are forwarded to
the concerned State Government for taking remedial measures. In
order to bring improvements in working of the ESI
Hospitals/dispensaries, the ESIC has recently formulated an Action
Plan and forwarded the same to the State Governments for
implementation in consultation with the ESIC. The Action Plan
includes, inter-alia, provision of modern equipments in hospitals,
establishment of Regional trauma centres, establishment of
super-speciality services, blood banks, cancer prevention centres,
development of indigenous system of medicines, provision of
necessary equipments in dispensaries etc. The ESI Corporation has
already sanctioned an amount of Rs. 16.34 Crore to various State
Governments for upgradation and modernisation of ESI
hospitals/dispensaries. For improving resource position of the
State governments in administration of ESI medical care the ceiling
on expenditure on medical care has been enhanced from Rs.500/- per
insured person per annum to Rs. 600/- per insured person per annum
with effect from 1.4.1999.