Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr Balbir Singh, on Thursday inaugurated the newly renovated headquarters of the Directorate of Health Services (ESI) Punjab, a project completed with an investment of approximately Rs 21 lakh. Following the inauguration, the Minister chaired a comprehensive review meeting to evaluate the performance and expansion of ESI services across the state.
Addressing the meeting, Dr Balbir Singh emphasized the government's commitment to the welfare of the state’s three crore population, specifically highlighting the robust net of social security provided to 15 lakh Insured Persons (IPs) and their 15 lakh dependents. He stated that the state’s healthcare infrastructure under ESI has seen significant upgrades, now operating through a network of six specialized hospitals and 69 dispensaries, with daycare services successfully initiated in every dispensary across Punjab.
During the review, Director Health Services (ESI) Dr Anil Goyal shared impressive growth statistics, noting that medical outreach has surged with a 14% increase in OPD attendance and a 21% rise in IPD admissions compared to the previous year. He highlighted that the state has prioritized diagnostic accessibility, resulting in a 43% increase in laboratory tests and a 22% rise in X-ray services.
The Health Minister announced that Ultrasound machines are now installed and functional in four major ESI hospitals, and the deployment of seven handheld X-ray units is currently in the pipeline to further modernize point-of-care diagnostics. To ensure patient safety and uninterrupted care, all hospitals have been equipped with oxygen backups as per IPHS standards, supported by a robust power infrastructure including a hotlines, generator sets, and new solar power installations at Jalandhar, Phagwara, and Amritsar.
The Health Minister also detailed the expansion of tertiary and secondary care, noting that ESI beneficiaries can now access cashless treatment at 140 hospitals, including 139 private partners and premier government institutes like GMC Patiala, Amritsar, and the Punjab biliary Institute. He revealed ambitious future projects, including the establishment of a Medical College in Malerkotla, 100-bedded hospitals in Derabassi and Bathinda, and a new Polyclinic at Focal Point Patiala.
On the operational front, Dr Balbir Singh confirmed that the state is maintaining a stock of 784 essential medicines with a strict 10% quality testing protocol already in place. While acknowledging a current shortage of 86 specialist doctors and 47 staff nurses against ESIC norms, he assured that the recruitment and "ESI Society" formation are in progress to streamline maintenance and double-shift operations in dispensaries.
Dr Balbir Singh also flagged off 10 vehicles hired for aiding the field officers in their supervisory duties which will eventually result in better monitoring. The Minister concluded by highlighting that ESI services are now operating at a good pace and performing exceptional work. The Health Minister stated that the renovation of the Directorate of Health Services (ESI) building has provided the staff with a better environment for working.
Dr Hitinder Kaur, Director of Health and Family Welfare Punjab; Dr Aditi Salaria, Director of Health Services (Family Welfare) Punjab; Dr. Pankaj Vohra, Regional Director of ESI; as well as Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, Program Officers, and other officers and staff were also present in the meeting.