Ludhiana to have upgraded ESIC Hospital soon: Arora

Ludhiana, February 14, 2024: Consistent efforts being made by MP (Rajya Sabha) Sanjeev Arora have started yielding fruits, which is evident from the fact that the Union Government has begun work of upgradation of facilities at 300-bedded ESIC Hospital, Ludhiana at a cost of about Rs.828.51 lakh.

The development works include renovation of ICU, (Rs.73.03 lakh), firefighting work (Rs.467.76 lakh), extension on medical gas pipe line (Rs. 49.73 lakh) and provision of 240 TR central AC plant (Rs.228.99 lakh). The construction agencies for the ongoing works are: WAPCOS Ltd and CPWD Jalandhar Division. 

According to Arora, renovation of ICU and firefighting works are in progress. Tender has been finalised for extension on medical gas pipe line. Regarding provision of 240 TR central AC plant, revision of estimate is being done by CPWD and expected to submit by February 15, 2024 for revised sanction.

He said the hospital is spread in area of 10.3 acres where old hospital building, new hospital building, hostel building, dispensary building and 89 staff quarter are located. He is also making all out efforts for increasing bedding capacity of the hospital from 300 to 500. He has taken up this matter with the Union Minister for Labour and Employment Bhupender Yadav and other concerned many times after meeting them and sending representations. He has even raised this issue in Rajya Sabha. 

Arora said the Union Government has recently apprised him that the proposal for expansion of ESIC hospital Ludhiana from 300 beds to 500 beds is under consideration.  He has been apprised that the hospital buildings were constructed in two parts.  There is an old block, in which presently Admin Block and OPD is running, declared unsafe as per the structural audit report conducted by NIT Jalandhar. But during site visit of Chief Engineer, ESIC it was observed that the old building is in good condition and there is no sign of distress / deterioration in building. Hence 2nd opinion from another agency / institute was initiated. The proposal for another opinion was forwarded to IIT, Roorkee, IIT, Ropar & IIT, Delhi.  In new hospital building, all wards, emergency, ICU, OT, labour room, laundry, medical store etc are running and building is safe as per the structural audit report. 

Further, Arora has been apprised that since as per the local building by laws, the maximum ground coverage has been utilized and there is no scope for new construction in the land. The only way of expansion is possible through the vertically or after demolition of old hostel building, which is constructed in year 1969.

The proposal for structural audit for old & hostel building has been forwarded to 3 IITs (IIT, Roorkee, IIT, Ropar & IIT, Delhi) and regular follow up regarding early execution of structural audit is being undertaken from ESIC hospital Ludhiana and R.O, Punjab.   

The quotation of IIT Delhi found lowest and work has been awarded. However, consent for advance payment of 40% in place of 100% has been sought by MS from IIT Delhi. Reply is awaited from IIT Delhi, said Arora.

Arora hoped that the upgradation of hospital from 300 beds to 500 beds will make it a state-of-the-art hospital in the state of Punjab. He once this project is completed it will become a major asset not only for Ludhiana but for whole of the state. He said the present ESI Hospital in Ludhiana was established in the 1970s when the number of workers were 10 per cent of the present number. He added the industry has spread to adjoining areas of Khanna, Sahnewal, and Samrala. Thus, the present bedding capacity is not sufficient to cater to the increased number of patients in and around Ludhiana over the years. 

He thanked the Union Minister of Labour and Employment Bhupender Yadav and the ESIC DG Rajendra Kumar for extending their full cooperation in giving their consent to his proposal of upgradation of facilities and bedding capacity of the hospital.