Efforts on to open ESIs for all : Minister

Hubballi: Efforts are being made to clear all legal hurdles to ensure that even those without ESI cards can seek treatment at the healthcare institutions, said Karnataka labour minister A Shivaram Hebbar, who was in Hubballi on Friday. He said that discussions were under way with the officials concerned to resolve legal issues so that ESI hospitals can open their doors to all.
“ESI hospitals were set up to provide treatment to labourers. But why should that stop these institutions from offering treatment to others? It is not correct to restrict services of ESI hospitals only to card holders,” the minister said.
Hebbar said that the government had appointed 150 doctors to ESI hospitals, in addition to ensuring adequate supply of medicines, worth Rs 450 crore, to the institutions. “But those in need of medical attention are not able to get it,” he rued.
Disappointed with the infrastructure at the Hubballi ESI hospital, Hebbar assured people of improving the facilities there. The minister warned doctors against being negligent lest they invite disciplinary action.
‘Accept ideology of party you join’
Upset with MLC and former minister Adagooru H Vishwanath’s remarks, wherein he valorised Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan, Hebbar said, “Vishwanath must not make such unnecessary remarks that embarrass the party and the government. When one joins a party, one must accept its ideology. I am not aware of the context in which Vishwanath issued these statements, but my stand on the issue is that of the BJP’s,” the minister said.