MIA slams ESIC for referring patients from MSME units to other hospitals without treatment

Mohali, Dec 26 (KNN) In yet another case, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospital in Mohali have been alleged to neglect their duties as they refer patients, who are labourers from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to other hospitals.

Amit Kumar, an ESIC Holder employee was taken to ESIC hospital in Mohali after he met with an accident. But without treating him or giving initial aid to the wounds, he was directly referred to GMCH in sector 32. The injured works in a factory in Sector-82.

''When he went to ESIC Hospital, he was not treated there and was directly referred to GMCH 32. He has been roaming here and there for three days, but so far his operation has not been done. When he was sent without treatment from GMCH-32, he went back to ESIC Hospital and again from there he was referred to Civil Hospital Phase-6,'' Mohali Industries Association, Chairman, Balbir Singh said in mail to KNN India.

''There was a shortage of certain equipment’s in the hospital, due to which the patient is being administered in Phase-6. This patient is to be operated first on Thursday morning,'' MIA quoted Darshan Singh, SMO of ESIC as saying.

''Contrary to that ESIC authorities are claiming that all the facilities are available in ESIC hospital Mohali,'' MIA added.

As per ESIC scheme all insured workers are entitled for cashless treatment being a central government social security scheme for which contribution is charged every month from the wages of insured workers, but the condition of ESIC hospital Mohali is very poor, said Singh.

In September this year, Singh had alleged that the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is taking money in the name of scheme and has not been providing services to worker which they are entitled for.

Speaking to KNN India on the matter, Singh had said, “They are not giving any services to the workers and in the name of ESIC scheme they are just collecting money.”

Neither, they provide good infrastructure to the scheme holders nor provide any good services to the benefiters. Due to negligence behavior of ESIC, workers approach private hospitals for the treatment and for which they didn’t even get enough money within time frame,’’ he asserted.

While commenting on the funds collection by the ESIC, he said, ‘’The funds are being collected by Labour Ministry as the ESIC department come under them, but the department are not utilizing those funds on workers.’’

---------------------