The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has greenlit crucial plans to enhance its healthcare infrastructure, expand medical education, and boost efficiency in service delivery. Under the leadership of Labour & Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, it was decided that all upcoming and newly established ESI Hospitals will be managed directly by ESIC. However, hospitals currently under state governments will remain under state management unless states opt for ESIC control.
In a significant move, the ESIC granted in-principle approval for restructuring and fortifying the Medical Education Division. This includes the establishment of functional verticals, additional posts, and the formation of an ESIC Medical Education Advisory Board to aid the growth of medical, dental, nursing, and allied health science institutions. Additionally, approval was given for two major medical education initiatives, including the construction of a Dental College with UG and PG facilities at ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi.
Furthermore, the ESIC sanctioned a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Ayush to develop a joint framework for integrating and enhancing Ayush services within ESIC’s healthcare system. This collaboration aims to address occupational and lifestyle-related health issues through holistic and accessible care. The ESIC also approved a new consolidated Memorandum of Understanding for State ESI Societies, replacing previous models to align with the Code on Social Security, 2020.
A series of healthcare infrastructure projects were also given the green light, including the establishment of Occupational Disease Centres in various locations. Notably, approval was granted for a Radiation Oncology Block at ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Joka, Kolkata, to bolster cancer care services in the Eastern Zone. Additionally, the ESIC approved the framing of the Employees’ State Insurance (General) Regulations, 2026, under the Code on Social Security, 2020.
In light of ESIC’s expansion post the Code on Social Security, 2020, the Corporation sanctioned the establishment of five new Sub-Regional Offices to enhance service delivery and compliance monitoring. The extension of the unemployment allowance scheme for Insured Persons was also approved for an additional year, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
