MP Seeks 300-bed Upgrade For ESI Hospital
During an inspection of the hospital, the MP visited every block, interacted with patients in the wards to assess the quality of healthcare services, and reviewed infrastructure, facilities and staff requirements with doctors and hospital officials
Vijayawada: Vijayawada AP Kesineni Sivanath commonly known as Chinni on Tuesday said he would raise the infrastructure needs and key issues of the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Hospital at Gunadala during the upcoming Parliament session beginning on July 20 and work towards its upgradation into a 300-bed super-speciality hospital.
During an inspection of the hospital, the MP visited every block, interacted with patients in the wards to assess the quality of healthcare services, and reviewed infrastructure, facilities and staff requirements with doctors and hospital officials.
Sivanath said the ESI Hospital, established in 1968, currently serves nearly three lakh ESI cardholders. He noted that the Centre had recently increased the salary eligibility ceiling for ESI beneficiaries from ₹21,000 to ₹42,000, a move expected to double or even triple the number of beneficiaries. He said the eligible population could eventually rise to nearly nine lakh, making the expansion of the hospital imperative.
Welcoming the sanction of a 155-bed facility, the MP said the hospital should be upgraded into a 300-bed super-speciality institution with all major departments. He also sought the establishment of a medical college attached to the hospital, pointing out that similar ESI hospitals elsewhere in the country have medical colleges.
Sivanath said the hospital's infrastructure requirements, staff shortages and other issues would be brought to the attention of the Union government during the forthcoming Parliament session. Appreciating the hospital's cleanliness and maintenance, he said he would strive for its continuous modernisation and improved medical services.