Accelerated Progress in Upgrading and Revamping ESIC Hospital in Ludhiana

15 Apr, 2024

The initiative to enhance and renovate the ESI Corporation (ESIC) Model Hospital in Ludhiana has gained momentum, according to officials. In February, the Union Government approved the project at a cost of Rs 8.2 crore, responding to the request made by Ludhiana's Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjeev Arora. This development holds significant importance as it marks the first major overhaul of the health facility for employees, particularly industrial workers, since its establishment in 1969.

Furthermore, the proposal to increase the hospital's capacity to 500 beds, including adding 200 more beds, is actively being considered by the Central Government.

ESIC Director General (DG) Rajendra Kumar announced this in response to Sanjeev Arora's advocacy. This progress follows a series of meetings between Arora and Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Bhupender Yadav, over the past year. Minister Yadav recently convened a meeting in Chandigarh with officials from both the ministry and the state government to finalize plans for establishing six new ESIC Hospitals in Punjab, including another one in Ludhiana district, addressing various welfare demands of the labour force.

Sanjeev Arora, representing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Upper House of Parliament, highlighted the deficiencies in the Ludhiana ESIC hospital, serving nearly 12 lakh workers, and emphasized the urgent need for improvements. During a recent visit to the ESIC hospital, MP Arora was briefed by the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Bhairvi Deshmukh, on the progress of renovations. Deshmukh reported that renovation of the ICU was nearing completion, with 65% of firefighting work also done. Arora urged for expediting the tasks, including completing firefighting measures sooner and addressing staff shortages.

Dr. Deshmukh informed Arora that 60% of the work on extending the medical gas pipeline had been completed, with a revised estimate submitted for approval regarding energy-efficient central air-conditioning plants.

Arora subsequently contacted ESIC DG Rajendra Kumar, urging further acceleration of the renovation works. The MP also addressed issues of staff shortages and the need for a police post on the hospital campus with local authorities. He emphasized the importance of treating patients within the hospital whenever possible and vowed to address the issue of understaffing.

ESIC DG informed Arora that the upgrade project was being carried out at a cost of Rs 819.51 lakh and reiterated the consideration of expanding the hospital's capacity to 500 beds.

Arora outlined the proposed upgrade plan, indicating the necessity for structural audits and the potential for vertical expansion or demolition to facilitate expansion.

Structural audits for old and hostel block buildings have been initiated with the involvement of multiple IITs, with the lowest quotation from IIT Delhi being selected for the task.

Progress is underway to ensure the ESIC Hospital in Ludhiana meets modern healthcare standards and effectively serves the needs of the region's workforce.

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