Providing social security and healthcare benefits to workers is a key priority for the government, with the goal of fostering a healthy and productive workforce to propel India towards becoming a 'Developed Nation.' Under the guidance of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, a significant initiative has been launched to integrate the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) with the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). This partnership will enable more than 14.43 crore ESI beneficiaries and their families to access high-quality and comprehensive healthcare services.
On November 26, 2024, Mrs. Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, reviewed the progress of the coordination between these two schemes. During the review, ESIC Director-General Mr. Ashok Kumar Singh stated that, under this collaboration, ESI beneficiaries will now be able to access secondary and tertiary healthcare services at over 30,000 AB-PMJAY-accredited hospitals across the country, without any financial cap. This partnership will not only enhance access to healthcare services but also fully cover the cost of treatments, making healthcare both affordable and accessible.
Currently, the ESIC scheme provides healthcare through 165 hospitals, 1,590 dispensaries, 105 dispensary-cum-branch offices (DCBOs), and approximately 2,900 private hospitals. With the integration of AB-PMJAY, the existing infrastructure of the ESI scheme will be significantly strengthened, ensuring that workers and their dependents receive enhanced and more accessible healthcare services.
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Expansion of the ESIC Scheme Nationwide: The ESIC scheme is now operational in 687 out of 788 districts across the country, up from just 393 districts in 2014. Over the past decade, the scheme has expanded significantly. Through its partnership with PMJAY, the ESIC scheme will be further extended to districts where it is currently unavailable.
Promoting Equality in Healthcare Services and Strengthening Social Security: The integration of ESIC and AB-PMJAY will not only strengthen the social security framework but also promote greater equality in healthcare services, ensuring that high-quality medical facilities are easily accessible to those in need. Additionally, charitable hospitals across the country will be enlisted to treat ESI beneficiaries. This collaboration underscores the government’s broader vision of enhancing healthcare and social security for workers and their families.
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