The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to transfer the state-run Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Hospital at Pandu Nagar in Kanpur to the central government. The move aims to develop the facility into a medical college and super-speciality hospital. In exchange, the state will take over the ESIC-run hospital at Jajmau.
Strengthening Healthcare and Medical Education
The decision is intended to enhance tertiary healthcare services for insured workers and their families while expanding medical education infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh. Under the approved plan, the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) will establish a medical college on the Pandu Nagar campus at an estimated cost of Rs 700 crore.
Seat Distribution and Reservation
The institution will initially offer 50 MBBS seats, with plans to increase the intake to 100 seats in subsequent years. As per the proposal, 50% of the MBBS seats will be reserved for children of ESI beneficiaries across the country. The remaining seats will be shared between the state and central governments, with Uttar Pradesh receiving 35% and the Centre 15%.
Infrastructure and Employment
The project will include a 300-bed teaching hospital. Government estimates indicate that the institution could generate around 660 jobs for doctors, administrative officers, nursing and paramedical staff, in addition to 203 outsourced positions in security and housekeeping services.
ESIC's Third Medical College in UP
Officials noted that the Kanpur institution will become ESIC's third medical college in Uttar Pradesh, after those in Varanasi and Greater Noida. This expansion will increase access to specialized healthcare and medical education in the state.
