Chakan Industrial Belt to Receive First ESIC-Run 350-Bed Hospital in Maharashtra
The Chakan industrial belt in Pune is poised for a significant healthcare upgrade with the establishment of its first Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)-run 350-bed hospital. This development follows the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) allocating 8.5 acres of land for the facility earlier this month, marking a crucial step in addressing the medical needs of industrial workers in the region.
Land Acquisition and Expansion Plans
ESIC Joint Director Sukanta Das confirmed that the corporation has secured land not only in Chakan but also in Baramati and Satara, where 100-bed hospitals will be constructed for employees covered under the ESIC scheme. "Now that the land has been acquired, we will soon initiate the construction," Das stated. He emphasized that the number of insured individuals in Chakan has surged rapidly, creating a long-pending demand for a dedicated ESIC hospital in the area.
Current Healthcare Infrastructure and Gaps
Presently, ESIC operates only two hospitals across five districts of western Maharashtra – one each at Bibvewadi in Pune and in Kolhapur. Additionally, two ESIC hospitals are managed by the state government at Mohannagar in Chinchwad and another in Solapur. However, these facilities lack advanced treatments, often forcing patients to seek care at private hospitals empanelled with ESIC or government hospitals, which can be inconvenient and costly.
Impact on Industrial Workers and Nearby Areas
The new hospital in Chakan will be located in Phase II of the MIDC and is expected to serve not only local workers but also those from nearby industrial hubs such as Talegaon and Khed-Rajgurunagar. According to members of the Federation of Chakan Industries, over seven lakh industrial workers are registered from Chakan MIDC alone and are likely to benefit from this facility. Dilip Batwal, CEO of the Federation of Chakan Industries, noted, "We demanded this hospital for several years. Though the project was approved by the Union labour minister in 2022, it was delayed due to land-related issues."
Upgrades to Existing Facilities
In parallel, the existing Bibvewadi ESIC hospital, which currently has a capacity of 140 beds, is undergoing upgrades. Das revealed that the enhanced facility will soon expand to accommodate 500 beds, further bolstering healthcare services in the region.
Challenges Faced by Workers
Batwal highlighted that the industrial belt currently has only an OPD facility run by ESIC, with no hospital for further treatment. Insured workers often depend on government hospitals or private hospitals empanelled under ESIC, many of which are situated far from the industrial belt. "Often they have to pay upfront for the treatment and seek reimbursement, but it was unfair to them as they could not afford the high cost of the treatment," he explained.
ESIC Scheme and Worker Contributions
Under the ESIC scheme, 4% of an employee's salary is contributed monthly, with 3.25% paid by the employer and 0.75% deducted from the employee's wages. Batwal pointed out that despite these deductions, workers have not been receiving adequate facilities, underscoring the urgency of the new hospital project to fulfill their healthcare entitlements.
