ESIC seeks Centre's nod for 11 medical colleges

Bangalore, Aug 16 (UNI) The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), which runs an unique social security health scheme and a huge medical infrastructure, has sought permission from the Centre to start 11 new medical colleges in the country, ESIC Director General Prabhat C Chaturvedi said today.

Speaking to UNI on the sidelines of a function organised for laying foundation for upgradation and modernisation works taken up at a cost of Rs 160 crore for ESI Hospital here, he said the ESIC had a huge infrastructure, including 144 hospitals and 42 hospital annexes. It has now decided to set up its own medical colleges.

Stating a proposal had already been sent to the Centre to start 11 medical colleges with an intake of 100 students each, he said the corporation had earmarked over Rs 250 crore for the purpose.

Taking note of its state-of-the-art health facilities, the Centre would accord permission to ESIC for setting up new medical colleges from the next academic year itself, he said.

The ESIC was also accorded permission to admit as many as 440 PG medical students in its chain of hospitals.

''ESIC has tied up with various medical institutions and universities to teach PG students utilising its clinical facilities,'' he said.

Replying to questions, Mr Chaturvedi said the Rajajinagar ESI Hospital, which was taken up for upgradation and modernisation at a cost of Rs 160 crore, had all the requisite facilities to start medical college with an intake of 100 seats.

ESIC-run hospitals also had plans to offer courses in Nursing, Dental, Pharmacy and para-medical courses.

''The starting of medical colleges by ESIC will help to further improve medical care and address the problem of shortage of medical officers in ESI-run hospitals,'' he added.

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