ESI to start medical colleges in all states and UTs

Puducherry, May 23 (UNI) The ESI Corporation proposes to start medical colleges in all the states and Union Territories in the country, Corporation Director-General Prabhat C Chaturvedi said.

Addressing mediapersons here yesterday, he said the new medical colleges would provide quality health care under the Corporation's network.

He said a 300-bed hospital was mandatory for starting a medical college.

A total of 46 hospitals from 144 ESI hospitals come under the 300-bed category, he said, adding steps would be taken to convert these hospitals into medical colleges.

In Puducherry, the Corporation has a 75-bed hospital and the administration has agreed to allot 15 acres of land on 19 years' lease to set up a medical college Mr. Chaturvedi said.

As many as one crore employees and four crore members of their families were covered under ESI benefits, he said, stating the Corporation was further planning to make an amendment to provide treatment to the public at a nominal fee.

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