NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate a newly constructed 30-bedded Employees’ State Insurance Corporation Hospital at Ompora on April 24.
The hospital, which can be expanded up to 100 beds, is expected to benefit more than 50,000 workers and their family members in Budgam and adjoining districts, marking a major step in strengthening healthcare services under the Employees’ State Insurance scheme in Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister is also scheduled to honour the construction workers who contributed to the development of the hospital.
Built over an area of five acres at an estimated cost of around Rs 165 crore, the project includes the main hospital building, a service building and 32 residential quarters, covering a plinth area of nearly 24,500 square metres.
Initially, the hospital will function with 30 beds, while the bed capacity will be increased gradually to 100.
The hospital has been equipped with three modular operation theatres and one dedicated emergency operation theatre for both planned and emergency procedures. It also includes four patient lifts and a modern HVAC system to ensure proper air quality and patient comfort.
The infrastructure incorporates eco-friendly facilities such as solar water heating systems and sewage and effluent treatment plants.
The Employees’ State Insurance Scheme was introduced in Jammu and Kashmir on October 16, 1989, initially covering around 7,000 workers in Jammu, Kathua and Srinagar.
At present, the scheme is operational across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir and covers around 1,83,119 insured persons and nearly seven lakh beneficiaries. It is administered through the ESIC Regional Office Jammu and the Jammu and Kashmir Employees’ State Insurance Society.
The medical benefit delivery system under the scheme currently provides primary healthcare through five Dispensary-cum-Branch Offices located at Srinagar, Kathua, Katra, Samba and Udhampur.
In addition, eight ESIS dispensaries are functioning in the Union Territory, including three in Srinagar, two in Jammu and one each in Budgam, Kathua and Samba.
Secondary healthcare services are presently being provided through the 50-bedded ESIC Model Hospital Bari-Brahmana, along with tie-up arrangements with 15 private hospitals, nursing homes and diagnostic centres for secondary and super-speciality treatment.
Cash benefits under the scheme are delivered through a branch office at Jammu and five Dispensary-cum-Branch Offices located in Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Katra and Srinagar.
