The Business Bytes
New Delhi, November 28, 2024 (TBB Bureau): In a significant move to enhance healthcare access for the workforce, the Centre is working towards the convergence of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). This integration will extend comprehensive medical care benefits to over 14.43 crore ESI beneficiaries and their families, as announced by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Thursday.
Under the leadership of Labour and Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the ministry highlighted that the convergence aims to improve healthcare access for the country’s working population and their dependents. “This strategic collaboration between ESIC and AB-PMJAY will provide greater access to quality and comprehensive medical care across India,” the Ministry stated.
The initiative, once fully implemented, will grant ESI beneficiaries access to secondary and tertiary healthcare services at more than 30,000 AB-PMJAY-empanelled hospitals nationwide. Importantly, the benefits will be available without any financial ceilings on treatment costs, ensuring equitable access to medical services.
Ashok Kumar Singh, Director General of ESIC, emphasized that the initiative will bolster the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services for ESI beneficiaries. Additionally, charitable hospitals will also be empanelled under this scheme, further expanding treatment options.
Currently, the ESI scheme operates with a network of 165 hospitals, 1,590 dispensaries, and over 2,900 private hospitals. The scheme has seen substantial growth, expanding from 393 districts in 2014 to 687 districts today. By merging with AB-PMJAY, the initiative will extend healthcare benefits to remaining districts, addressing gaps in the healthcare system.
“This collaboration is a step forward in building a more productive workforce and contributing towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India),” the Ministry added, noting that the move is expected to strengthen the nation’s social security ecosystem, promote health equity, and make quality healthcare accessible to those who need it most.
