Thu Feb 20 13:47:39 UTC 2025: **Andhra Pradesh Cracks Down on Negligent ESI Hospital Staff, Promises Healthcare Expansion**

AMARAVATI, Andhra Pradesh – The Andhra Pradesh government has launched a crackdown on negligence within its Employee State Insurance (ESI) hospitals, suspending five doctors and four staff members at the Rajamahendravaram facility following a surprise inspection. Labour Minister V. Subhash announced the action on Thursday, stating that zero tolerance for negligence would be enforced to ensure quality healthcare for workers.

The suspensions have already resulted in a significant increase in outpatient (OP) attendance at the Rajamahendravaram hospital, rising from under 50 to 170. Minister Subhash cited this as evidence of the effectiveness of stricter supervision. He further highlighted the success of the Tirupati ESI hospital, where dedicated doctors have boosted OP services to nearly 350.

Criticizing the previous government for neglecting ESI hospitals, including the transfer of the Kakinada facility to the central government, Minister Subhash emphasized the current government’s commitment to expanding healthcare services for workers. This includes the sanctioning of 18 new dispensaries, in addition to the existing 78, with a goal of establishing one in every district headquarters. The government also aims to increase the number of insured persons (IPs) to 30 lakh within a year.

Further expansion plans include a proposal submitted to the Director-General of ESIC for a 500-bed secondary care ESI hospital, an ESI medical college, and a 150-bed superspecialty hospital in Amaravati. The Tirupati ESI hospital is also slated for an upgrade, increasing its capacity from 50 to 100 beds. To improve accessibility, a mobile ICU will be established in Visakhapatnam Pharma City using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.

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