Union Minister of State (MoS) for Union Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje today chaired a meeting to review the construction of 100-bedded Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital at SIDCO Industrial Complex, Ompora, Budgam.
The hospital being constructed at a cost of Rs 160 crore would be equipped with modern healthcare facilities and will have OPD, IPD, ICU, Wards, Diagnostic Laboratories, Operation Theater, Disaster management facilities, in addition to an independent sub-station. Surgery and Psychiatric departments would be established in which specialist doctors and well trained staff will be made available round the clock.
During reviewing, the Union Minister termed the hospital as yet another step to boost healthcare infrastructure in J&K and termed the hospital is being constructed to provide world class health facilities under ESIC to strengthen the preventive, primary and secondary health care ecosystem in J&K.
She has directed the authorities to complete the project before the deadline and breaching deadline may not be accepted at any cost since the Central Government is very keen to ensure peace, prosperity and development in J&K. She had visited all the health facilities under construction planned for 23 specialties in the hospital.
Shobha Karandlaje informed that there are more than 6000 industries and Establishments in Jammu and Kashmir, under ESI Act and more than One lakh 33 thousand insured people and their dependents are given benefits in Jammu Branch Office and five Other Dispensary-Branches at Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Katra and Srinagar. This hospital may serve considerable population registered under ESI Act.
She added that the hospital would improve the healthcare facilities of the entire area because it would be equipped with modern healthcare facilities and would have OPD, IPD, ICU, wards, diagnostic laboratories, an operation theatre, and disaster management facilities, in addition to an independent sub-station. “The facility will have surgery and psychiatric experts available round the clock,” he said.
The hospital is expected to benefit thousands of insured industrial workers and their families associated with around 600 factories and institutions designated under the ESI Act. The ESIC system will cover all medical and hospital expenses, including referrals to a territory care hospital, along with a range of insurance coverages for death and disability.
“The hospital is planned to be built in the same style as hospitals in metro cities to provide better treatment to the locals. The goal is to deliver better healthcare services to the disadvantaged elements of society at an affordable price,” another official highlighted. He added that treatment costs would be capped to ensure accessibility for those in need.
To address concerns about accessibility and affordability, an official said that the hospital is designed in the style of hospitals in metro cities aiming to provide high-quality treatment to the local population. “The objective is to deliver superior healthcare services to disadvantaged sections of society at an affordable cost, with treatment expenses capped for the benefit of those in need,” the official said.
The official mentioned that SIDCO has acquired 40 kanals of Land, which will be leased for the hospital’s construction. “The facility is strategically designed to ensure efficient patient care during emergencies, equipped with the necessary personnel, equipment, and an ample number of operating rooms. All necessary personnel and equipment, as well as a sufficient number of operating rooms, must be stationed at the hospital to provide superior health care to patients. Around 23 specialists will be available in the hospital,” the official said.
During the review Dushyant Pande, Regional Director, ESIC, J&K along with engineers of CPWD and the contractor, G.Velladurai IEDS Joint Director were present.
