Protest against 'poor' facilities at ESI Hospital in Mohali

Mohali, December 22

Members of the Mohali Industries Association (MIA) today held a protest against the poor state of functioning of the ESI Corporation and facilities at the ESI Hospital in Mohali.

More than 100 industrialists and members of the MIA gathered at the MIA Bhawan and marched towards the Phase 7/8 light point raising slogans against the Centre, the state government, the ESI Corporation and the Punjab Health Department.

Anurag Aggarwal, president, MIA, said, “It is an astonishing fact that the ESI Hospital and dispensaries are currently working for only 6 hours from 8 am to 2 pm. Insured workers may be referred 24x7 only to the empanelled hospitals under the ESI Scheme, where cashless medical facility is available, instead of referring them to the Civil Hospital-Phase 6 Mohali, GMCH-32, GMSH-16 or the PGI, Chandigarh. ESI dispensary should work 24x7 hours for the welfare of the poor. There should be Ambulance service at the ESI Hospital, Mohali, as well as the facility of all laboratory tests.”

Vivek Kapoor, vice-president, MIA, said Rs10 crore was deposited with the ESIC every month from Mohali but it was disgraceful that not even 10 per cent of this was actually spent on the workers by the corporation. — TNS