Question : Availing of Services by Non-insured Persons from ESIC Hospitals

(a)whether the Government/ Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has decided to allow non-insured persons to avail medical services from ESIC hospitals and if so, the details along with the aims and objectives thereof;
(b)the terms and conditions laid down for providing such services to the non-insured persons;
(c)whether the Government is aware of the acute shortage of specialist/super specialist doctors, Paramedical & Nursing cadre and various other categories in ESIC hospitals across the country;
(d)if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government to fill up the vacancies in a time-bound manner; and
(e)whether ESIC proposes to enhance the exemption limit for payment of employee’s, share of contribution from Rs. 137 to Rs. 176 and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

* ********
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 264 FOR ANSWER ON 31.12.2018 BY SHRI KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH AND SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN REGARDING AVAILING OF SERVICES BY NON-INSURED PERSONS FROM ESIC HOSPITALS.

(a) & (b): With the objective of better utilization of under-utilized ESIC hospitals, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in its 175th meeting held on 18.09.2018, has taken a decision to allow Non-Insured Persons to avail medical services from under-utilized ESIC Hospitals at Alwar (Rajasthan), Bihta (Bihar) and Gulbarga(Karnataka). Moreover, ESI Corporation in its 176th meeting held on 05.12.18 has decided to provide medical services to Non-Insured Persons from its underutilized hospitals at Bareilly & Varanasi too. Through this scheme, it is aimed at optimal utilization of existing infrastructure. As a Pilot Scheme for one year, ESI Corporation in its meeting dated 05.12.2018 has decided to levy user charges on non-Insured Persons availing medical services from these hospitals. It is proposed to levy user charges, as per following terms & conditions:
• OPD consultation @ Rs.10/- per consultation
• IPD @ 25% of CGHS package rates.
• Medicines as per actual

(c): Yes, Madam.

(d): Regular recruitment in respect of vacancies in the cadre of GDMO, Specialist, Super Specialist, Teaching Faculty has already been initiated as follows:-
ESIC has already advertised on 21st December, 2018, 2360 vacancies for Paramedical & Nursing cadre posts in 21 States. Similarly, advertisement has been released on 24th December, 2018 for filling up 257 posts of Specialist Gr. II (Junior Scale) and 72 posts of Specialist Gr. II (Senior Scale- Super Specialties) in 19 States.

(e): The proposal for Amendment to Rule 52 of ESI (Central) Rule, 1950 for enhancement of exemption limit for payment of employee’s share of contribution from Rs.137 to Rs.176 per day was placed before the ESI Corporation in its 176th meeting of ESI Corporation held on 05.12.2018 and the same was approved, keeping in view the rise in the National Floor Level Minimum Wages to Rs. 176.

*********