May 31: In a remarkable stride toward strengthening India’s healthcare infrastructure for the working class, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated a newly constructed 30-bedded ESIC Hospital in Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh. The state-of-the-art facility—designed for future expansion up to 100 beds—will serve over 1 lakh ESI beneficiaries from Sirmaur and nearby districts, symbolizing a tangible commitment to workers’ welfare.
Calling the hospital a “shrine that honours Shram Shakti,” Dr. Mandaviya placed the labour force at the heart of the nation’s growth story. In a rare and heartfelt gesture, he felicitated the construction workers who built the hospital, reiterating the government’s respect for their vital contribution.
The Union Minister announced a transformative decision: Medical colleges will be established in all ESIC hospitals with 200+ beds, and 40% of seats in these colleges will be reserved for wards of insured workers. This forward-looking move ensures access not just to healthcare, but also to education and empowerment for the working class.
Dr. Mandaviya praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the first leader to truly honour and elevate India’s labour force, noting that under his leadership, ESIC’s footprint has expanded significantly. Emphasizing inclusivity, he stated that no worker would be denied care, whether their treatment cost is ₹1 or ₹1 crore.
He shared a moving example: when a ₹2 crore life-saving medicine was requested for a poor insured worker’s child, approval was granted instantly, reinforcing that poverty must never be a barrier to life-saving care.
The hospital, built at a cost of ₹100 crore, will feature core specialties including General Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Dental, and will be equipped with modular OTs, CSSD, and Medical Gas Pipeline Systems.
Reaffirming the government’s mission, Dr. Mandaviya declared that all ESIC recruitment vacancies would be filled on a mission mode, ensuring quality services for every worker.
This initiative is not merely about infrastructure—it is a symbol of dignity, equity, and justice for India’s labour force, whose strength, as Dr. Mandaviya stated, “is the true foundation of nation-building.”
