'Shortage of staff hits ESI hospital in M'lore'

Employee’s State Insurance Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Ashok Kumar Naik has said that the hospital is facing acute shortage of staff.

Addressing a meeting of officials from ESI Hospital, labour department  and Akhila Bharatha Karmika Sangha members, convened as per the direction of the Deputy Commissioner here on Monday, Dr Naik said that out of 27 post of doctors  in the hospital, 20 are lying vacant. All 10 post of clerks are vacant.

There are two pharmacists as against nine.  An appeal has been sent to the government to fill the vacancies.  Meanwhile, a proposal has been sent by the labour department to handover the hospital to the Central government to upgrade it as a ESIC hospital, he added.

Even on labour inspectors, ESIC Deputy Director Verghese said that there is only one labour inspector for Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district as against the sanctioned post of four.

“We have impressed upon the Central and State governments  that one person can not attend the cases. However, it would take time for recruitment,” he said.
Labour Inspector Anil Kumar said that the sanctioned strength of Mangalore sub registrar office is 64. However, only 16 persons are managing the ‘show’.

About committee

Responding to the demand of Akhila Bharatha Karmika Sangha General Secretary Sudatta Jain to include ESI card holders in ESI hospital development committee, Assistant Labour Commissioner Nagesh said that a proposal has been sent to the government in this regard.

He said that the names of labour leaders Madhav and Vishwanath Shetty have been recommended for the committee.

However, Jain said that both have not attended any meetings  related to the ESI hospital till date. He targeted officials for not inviting them to the meeting. Sudatta Jain said that ESI cards are not given to all the labourers. 

To which, Labour Inspector Anil Kumar said that a survey has been conducted at Moodbidri, Padubidri, Belthangady and it is yet to be carried out in Puttur, Sullia, Bajpe, Mulki and few other areas.