Hospital authorities have denied treatment under the ESI scheme
Representational image
SHIVAMOGGA: Venkatachala is a dialysis patient undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Shivamogga. Being a labourer he is undergoing treatment using the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) card issued by the labour department of the state government. But the hospital authorities have denied treatment under the ESI scheme as the government failed to reserve money to treat health card holders.
“I am an ESI card holder labourer undergoing dialysis treatment. But the treatment costs Rs 30000 to Rs 35000 and Rs 4000 for medicines. I am availing the treatment thinking that I would get free treatment with help of the ESI card. But the hospital people are asking to pay and get treatment. Now there is no other way than ending my life as I cannot afford to pay for my treatment,” he said narrating his plight.
This is not the case of Mr.Venkatachala alone, many such labourers ailing with various health problems face the same situation. Speaking to reporters Rajya Sabha MP Ayanur Manjunath whom Mr.Venkatachala approached with his problem, said, “Hearing the plight of Venkatachala, I tried to speak with Labour Minister P.T.Parameshwar Naik but he was not available. Then I spoke to the officer concerned at the ESI directorate in Bengaluru. The officer replied there was no dearth of funds but there is no staff to transfer the amount to hospitals.”
Mr.Manjunath said the labour department was playing hide and seek with the labourers. The government had adopted a negligent attitude in releasing funds to ESI hospitals to help card holders, he complained. The state government should take strict action to ensure money for ESI card holders. Otherwise labourers have to follow farmers and end their lives with no treatment available for chronic ailments, he regretted.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
Next Story
