Lok Sabha Question No. 5884 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Expansion of ESIC Medical Facilities in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Mani A

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5884 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

## EXPANSION OF ESIC MEDICAL FACILITIES IN TAMIL NADU

5884. SHRI MANI A:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has assessed  the  availability  and  accessibility  of  ESIC  medical facilities  for  insured  workers  in  Tamil  Nadu,  particularly  in districts  with  growing  industrial  activity  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether  it is  a  fact  that  workers  and  beneficiaries  from Dharmapuri  district  are  currently  required  to  travel  to  distant districts to avail treatment at ESIC hospitals and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has received any proposal or representation for establishing an ESIC hospital or upgrading an ESIC dispensary into a full-fledged hospital in Dharmapuri district and if so, the details and outcome thereof;
- (d) whether there is any proposal to increase bed capacity, introduce specialised departments and modernise ESIC hospitals in Tamil Nadu to cater to the needs of rising number of insured workers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  timeline  for  expanding  ESIC  healthcare  infrastructure  in underserved districts, such as Dharmapuri?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a) to (e): Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has taken steps to improve medical facilities for insured workers in Tamil Nadu.

Contd..2/-

## ::2::

At present, there are 11 ESI Hospitals in Tamil Nadu. In addition, a network of 241 ESI dispensaries is operational across the State to cater to the needs of insured workers of Tamil Nadu.

Further, ESIC has sanctioned setting up of six new 100bedded  Hospitals  in  Tamil  Nadu  at  Thoothukudi,  Sriperumbudur, Kanyakumari,  Dindigul,  Erode  and  Chengalpet  with  a  view  to improving accessibility and availability of medical services.

In Dharmapuri district, at present, 2 ESI Dispensaries are operational.  The  nearest  ESI  Hospitals  are  located  at  Salem  and Hosur in Krishnagiri district. Additionally,  ESI Hospital, Tiruppur is also accessible at an approximate distance of 160 km.

ESIC accords approval for establishing an ESIC Hospital/dispensary  or  upgrading  an  existing  Hospital/dispensary with the consent of the respective State Governments. No proposal for setting up of ESI hospital or upgrading an ESI dispensary into a full-fledged  hospital  in  the  Dharmapuri  district  has  been  received from Government of Tamil Nadu.

Modernisation of ESI hospitals is a continuous process. ESI hospitals provide multi-specialty/ secondary care medical services in various specialties like Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology &  Obstetrics, Orthopaedics,  Paediatrics  etc. Critical In-patient services  are  provided  through  ICU/HDU  facilities  in  ESI  Hospitals. The range of medical services provided covers preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative services.

To  cater  to  the  increasing  number  of  insured  workers, ESIC  has  approved  enhancement  of  bed  strength  of  ESIC  Medical College & Hospital KK Nagar, Chennai from 550 to 1000 beds in 2023.

- *****