The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has announced plans to establish 10 new medical colleges across India, targeting underserved regions. This initiative, aimed at expanding healthcare access for ESIC beneficiaries, comes as part of a broader effort to provide comprehensive medical services. Additionally, ESIC is working to integrate its services with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), ensuring cashless healthcare for over 14.4 crore beneficiaries. The expansion includes not only new medical colleges but also enhanced healthcare facilities through Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) in unserved areas.
ESIC's Expanding Medical Infrastructure
The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is poised to significantly expand its healthcare infrastructure by establishing 10 new medical colleges across India. This move is designed to address the healthcare needs of underserved regions, ensuring that medical education and services are more accessible to beneficiaries of the ESIC scheme.
Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed that these new institutions will be strategically located in cities such as Pune, Manesar, Kollam, Surat, Vishakhapatnam, Bhubaneshwar, Asansol, Nagpur, Pandunagar, and Margaon. The new colleges are in addition to those already approved in other locations, including major cities like Guwahati, Jaipur, and Ludhiana. The approval for these projects came during the ESIC's 194th meeting, marking a significant step forward in enhancing healthcare access for millions of workers and their families.
Strengthening Collaboration with Ayushman Bharat PMJAY
As part of its ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery, the ESIC is also focusing on collaborating with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the government’s flagship health insurance initiative. This collaboration will allow ESIC beneficiaries to access cashless medical care at hospitals empanelled under the PMJAY scheme.
The integration of these two services aims to streamline healthcare access for over 14.4 crore beneficiaries, enhancing their ability to receive treatment without worrying about financial constraints. Notably, there will be no cap on expenditure for ESIC beneficiaries, which is expected to provide a significant boost to the social security benefits available to insured persons (IPs) under the scheme.
Expanding Healthcare Access in Remote Areas
In addition to the new medical colleges, the ESIC is actively working to extend healthcare coverage to areas that are either partially implemented or entirely unserved by its benefits. The organization has developed a policy to provide healthcare services through Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) in these regions, ensuring that even those in remote locations have access to ESIC benefits.
As of April 21, 2025, the ESIC scheme has been implemented in 691 districts, with 592 fully notified and 99 partially notified. This expansion is a critical element of the ESIC's ongoing mission to provide healthcare and social security to a growing number of Indian workers and their families.
Notable Expansions and Upcoming Plans
The scheme has recently seen expansions in several areas, with new districts being added to the list of those covered under ESIC’s social security program. Notably, the scheme was recently extended to 8 districts in Nagaland and 15 districts in Uttar Pradesh, bringing social security benefits to an additional 76,274 insured persons and their families.
Moreover, proposals for expanding the coverage further are underway, with plans to include one district each in Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, two districts in Maharashtra, and six districts in Bihar. This continued expansion underscores ESIC’s commitment to broadening the reach of its services and ensuring that more workers have access to healthcare and social security.
Conclusion: A Comprehensive Approach to Healthcare
ESIC’s latest initiatives, from the establishment of new medical colleges to expanding healthcare services through PHCs and CHCs, signal a broader strategy to enhance healthcare accessibility for India's working population. By integrating with the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, ESIC aims to provide a seamless and comprehensive healthcare experience for millions of insured individuals.
These efforts not only focus on increasing medical infrastructure but also on ensuring that the benefits of social security and healthcare are equitably distributed, especially in underserved and remote areas. With these ongoing improvements, the ESIC is positioning itself as a crucial player in India’s healthcare ecosystem, offering a model of inclusive and accessible healthcare for all its beneficiaries.
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