Darjeeling, June 9 -- The proposal for setting up an Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Medical College and Hospital in the Darjeeling Hill region has moved a step forward, with the West Bengal government directing the ESI Directorate to examine its feasibility and submit a detailed report.
The development follows a request made by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari seeking the establishment of a full-fledged ESIC Medical College and Hospital in the hills. In a letter dated May 29, Bista had highlighted the healthcare challenges faced by tea garden and cinchona garden workers across the Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars.
Responding to the request, the Labour Department of the Government of West Bengal, through a communication dated June 4, asked the Director of the ESI (MB) Scheme to assess the proposal and furnish a detailed report for consideration by the Chief Secretary's office.
Bista welcomed the move and thanked the Chief Minister for what he described as a 'prompt and positive response.'
He stated that nearly 30 lakh tea garden workers and their family members covered under the ESI scheme have long suffered due to the absence of a tertiary healthcare facility in the region, forcing them to travel long distances for specialised treatment.
According to the MP, an ESIC Medical College and Hospital would bring advanced healthcare services closer to workers and residents of the hills, while reducing the financial burden and hardships associated with seeking treatment outside the region.
If approved, the institution would be established with support from the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment and is expected to significantly strengthen healthcare infrastructure in North Bengal.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.