ESI Hospitals and Facilities in Kerala
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1732
ANSWERED ON: 02.03.2020
ESI Hospitals in Kerala
Ramya Haridas Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-
(a)whether it is a fact that the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) hospitals in Kerala are running with shortage of staff which is leading to crisis in the ESI hospital services to the employees, if so, the details thereof;
(b)whether any study has been conducted by Government to evaluate the present state of affairs, if so, the details thereof; and
(c)the steps being taken by Government to fill up the vacant posts in ESI hospitals at least in view of the health factor of the employees?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a): There is a general shortage of Doctors and other healthcare staff in the country including Kerala. However, Employees” State Insurance (ESI) beneficiaries are provided required medical care services through empaneled private /government hospitals if the same is not available in ESI hospitals. Details regarding shortage of staff in ESI hospitals in Kerala are placed at Annexure.
(b): From time to time, status of medical services provided by ESI hospitals in Kerala, is assessed through inspection visit or submission of status report, as follows:
Field visit by ESI Corporation member to ESI health Institutions to review/recommend on the status of health services.
Submission of ESI hospital inspection report to ESIC Hqrs. office by Regional Director/State Medical Officer.
Regular submission of D.O. letter by Medical Superintendents to ESIC Hqrs. office on the status of services provided by respective hospitals.
(c): Steps being taken to fill up vacant posts in Employees” State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospitals are as under:
i. 40% of the sanctioned posts under the GDMO sub cadre in ESIC hospitals are being filled with Senior Residents by Medical Superintendents at local level.
ii. In addition, 10 Senior Residents” posts per 100 beds have also been sanctioned over and above the sanctioned posts of GDMOs. These are also filled by Medical Superintendents locally.
iii. The Medical Superintendents have been authorized to recruit super specialists and specialists on part time contract basis till regular incumbents become available.
iv. Medical Superintendents of ESIC hospitals have also been authorized to engage, under certain situations, Nursing & Para-medical staff through agencies on short term basis.
v. Recruitment of Nursing & Para-medical staff on regular basis.
Further steps taken to fill up vacant posts in Employees” State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) hospitals are as under:
• To provide better administrative and financial freedom, ESI Corporation is encouraging State Governments to set up a State Level Society which may speed up filling of vacant posts in ESI hospitals in the States.
• The State Governments have been advised to follow ESIC norms while filling up posts of medical manpower.
ESI Corporation bears entire expenditure within the ceiling on medical care incurred by the State Governments for an initial period of 3 years w.e.f. 2019-20.