(a) whether the Government have recently reviewed the
performance and working conditions/services rendered by ESI
hospitals/dispensaries in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government are considering any proposals for
improvement in the services rendered by ESI
hospitals/dispensaries in the country; and
(d) if so, the details thereof in terms of specialised
services proposed to be provided?
MINISTER OF LABOUR (SHRI SHARAD YADAV)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Government in 1998 constituted a
Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri S.R. Satyam. The
Committee submited its report on 14.1.1999. Most of the
recommendations of the Committee have been accepted by the
Government and are at different stages of implementations.
The recommendations of the Committee such as enhancing
the ceiling on medical care for Insured Persons to Rs.600/- per
annum, issue of identify cards to insured persons, creation of
posts in the medical scheme as per ESI norms, enhancing of
inhouse capabilities to minimise referrals to other institutions
and recommendation relating to purchase of medicines have been
accepted.
Further, recommendations like parity of medical officers
of ESI Scheme with their counterparts in the general health
services in all respects and other miscellaneous recommendation
for improving the working conditions/services rendered by ESI
hospitals/dispensaries have been approved.
(c) & (d): The Employees` State Insurance Corporation has
formulated Action Plans to modernize ESI Hospitals/Dispensaries
during 1998-99, 1999-2000 & 2000-2001 and equipments worth
Rs.45.61 crore have been sanctioned under these Action Plans.
The ESIC has adopted several other measures for
improvement in Medical services such as setting up one Model
Hospital in each State to provide complete secondary care
treatment, setting up of a Revolving fund in each state for
speedy transfer of funds for Super Speciality treatment and
implementation of a Project for control of HIV/AIDS for ESI
beneficiaries through setting up of STD Clinics, Blood Banks etc.