ESIC Mohali Row: Another insured worker loses finger due to unavailability of services at ESIC hospital

New Delhi, July 15 (KNN) In yet another controversy surrounding the functioning of the Employee's State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) run hospitals in Mohali, an insured worker suffered the loss of his finger due to the unavailability of prompt service at the ESIC hospital, alleged Mohali Industries Association (MIA).

According to MIA, an employee with the name SIkander Parshad working at Luthra Industrial Engineering Corporation met with an accident during the industry operations in which his finger got injured. He was immediately rushed to the nearby ESIC hospital.

The incident took place during the day hour, yet the insured worker was not provided any treatment by the hospital. Instead he was referred to a government hospital in Chandigarh which further referred the injured worker to PGI where he was treated and his finger was detached.

Talking to KNN, Jasbir Singh, Chairman of Mohali Industries Association (MIA) said that the incident is not one of its kind. The poor service at the ESIC hospital has become a tradition.

He further said that had the   injured worker given treatment in time, he would not have lost his finger.

“The poor insured worker has been paying the insurance premium of 6.5 per cent from his salary for the last six years. It was for the first time that he had to visit the hospital, yet he couldn’t avail the treatment there”.

Jasbir further said that the ESIC that comes under Ministry of Labour and Employment, top officials have been informed about the poor conditions at the hospitals, yet no action has been taken to improve the situation.

Also the Association had filed a PIL earlier against the Corporation at the Punjab and Haryana High court, following which the court admitted the litigation and the next hearing is scheduled on 10^th of August. (KNN/ DA)