Ultra-modern ESI hospital in Tirupati by August

Tirupati: The much-delayed Rs 108-crore modern ESI hospital being built in Tirupati will take another two months to start functioning. So far, about 90 per cent of works have been completed and the finishing part was going on a brisk pace.

To cater to the needs of employees falling under the purview of ESI in four Rayalaseema districts of Chittoor, Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool and Nellore district, the Central Labour Department has sanctioned a new facility at Tirupati in 2010 with all modern features.

Initially, it was agreed to be completed in 18 months, but it has taken almost 100 months by now with the sluggish pace of construction work. The contract was given to Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Limited (UPRNL), which sub-leased it to the Kanakadhara Ventures Private Limited of Hyderabad.

As the sub-contractor halted works for some time citing technical grounds, the ESI Corporation gave notice to the main contractor UPRNL in later half of 2016. It was only after this the work resumed but on a slow pace only.

The new facility was required as there are 4.5 lakh insured persons in Rayalaseema and Nellore districts. The existing 50-bed hospital gets about 400 out patients daily on average and witness almost 100 per cent occupancy of beds.

Once the new facility comes up the out-patient services will go up and more people can be admitted as in-patients, according to hospital superintendent Balashankar Reddy. At present 200 surgeries are being done and this may also get doubled in the new hospital.

The new hospital being equipped with all modern facilities and services and there will be no need to refer patients to other hospitals as was done till now. Simultaneously, it will get new posts at all levels including doctors.

Central Minister for Labour and Employment Santosh Kumar Gangwar and State Minister for Labour and Employment Pitani Satyanarayana visited the hospital on Friday to review the progress and directed the authorities concerned to complete all pending works by August 31 to be able to inaugurate it in the first week of September.

Before that, the state government has to provide required electricity supply and water connections. Approvals from the Fire department are also awaited. The new facility will have a built-up area of 2.25 lakh sq ft with basement, ground and five floors.

The out-patient department will have 12 departments and there will be 24x7 casualty with required services. Patients will get all diagnostic services like radiology, CT, MRI, X-Ray and others. There are three operation theatres with one theatre will be of international standards with modular form and 23 consultation rooms will come up for use.

The centralised AC hospital will have neo natal ward, pantry, isolated room and other such features. Entire building will be equipped with solar back up system, said GM, South Zone of UPRNL OP Pathak and project in-charge P Sridhar.

They told The Hans India that it will have a big sewage collection tank with existing sewage treatment plant and the treated water will be used for horticulture. The entire hospital wears a corporate look and start providing modern health care to employees covered by ESI in a couple of months.