Bangalore, Aug 16 : The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), which was catering to the medical needs of over 40 million employees and their family members, was all set to upgrade and modernise its hospitals in the country.

ESIC had taken up upgradation and modernisation of ESI Hospital in the city. Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes today laid foundation stone for Rs 160 crore project.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said, ''Our aim is to see that the ESIC hospitals are on par with any corporate-run hospitals in the country. Five hospitals would be upgraded in a big way to begin with.'' Mr Fernandes said the 500-bed ESI Hospital at Rajajinagar in the city, which serves over two million in the State would be upgraded at a cost of Rs 160 crore. The hospital would be equipped with the state-of-the-art casualty centre, independent diagnostic block, dialysis unit and centrally air-conditioned ICU and CCU units. The work was expected to be completed within 18 months, he added.

He said about two million employees were covered under ESI scheme in the State.

-- UNI