Jammu, Jun 1 (KNN) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Jammu, on Monday, express their dissatisfaction over the conversion of ESIC hospital into a COVID-19 hospital and demanded to immediately shift the infected patients to other health care centre. 

''At present around 75,000 registered insured persons are getting the facilities of OPD/IPD fr0m the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospital, Bari Brahmana. It is unfair to convert ESIC hospital into a COVID-19 hospital,'' said Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA) in a meeting.

The industries body further said that due to corona cases, ESIC beneficiaries are facing difficulties in their day to day medical assistance.

''In case of any emergency, the unit holders have no option, other than to send the worker to government medical college, Jammu for treatment at their own expenses,'' BBIA added.

BBIA further feared that due to positive cases of COVID-19 in ESIC hospital might spread in the hospital complex.

''The administration has already shifted positive cases of COVID-19 in ESIC hospital which is a serious issue keeping in mind the influx of approximately 35000 workers in the industrial complex, on daily basis might affect others in the complex,'' it added.

BBIA requested Lt. Governor, G C  Murmu and Saurabh Bhagat (IAS), Commissioner/Secretary Labour & Employment Department to immediately  shift  COVID-19 patient fr0m ESIC hospital to other health care centre.