ESI to build super-speciality hospital in Vizag

Union Minister of state for Labour Bandaru Dattatreya today said Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) will construct a 300-bedded super- speciality hospital here and a 100-bedded hospital in Guntur.
"The existing ESI hospital is in a bad shape both in terms of infrastructure and services. Hence, Centre would construct a super-speciality hospital on the land that will be leased from Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT)," Dattatreya told reporters after visiting the ESI hospital at Malkapuram here.
VPT is likely to lease out land for the hospital and final decision on it will be taken by port's board in a meeting on May 6.

The 100-bedded hospital in Guntur will benefit labourers in the capital region, he said, adding, a proposal to set up another 100-bedded hospital in Tirupati is also being discussed.
Dispensaries and hospitals in Rajahmundry in East Godavari, Pydibhimavaram of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram is being mulled, the minister apprised.
On employment generation for youths, Dattatreya said shortage of skilled workers is a major challenge and there is an urgent need to train youngsters who can work as plumbers, electricians, fitters etc.

"Employment exchanges (programmes) in the country has failed in reaching out to the unemployed youth. Hence, government has decided to boost such employment exchanges, launch national career service portal through which youths can get relevant information via SMS service," he said.

Dattatreya said with amendment in Employees Provident Fund Act, the Central Government is now ensuring that companies that employ more than 10 persons will have to provide provident fund facility.
He said the Centre is also working on increasing minimum wages from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 for labourers.