Bangalore, Aug 16 : The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), which runs an
unique social security health scheme and a huge medical infrastructure, has sought
permission from the Centre to start 11 new medical colleges in the country, ESIC Director
General Prabhat C Chaturvedi said today.
Speaking to UNI on the sidelines of a function organised for laying foundation for
upgradation and modernisation works taken up at a cost of Rs 160 crore for ESI Hospital
here, he said the ESIC had a huge infrastructure, including 144 hospitals and 42 hospital
annexes. It has now decided to set up its own medical colleges.
Stating a proposal had already been sent to the Centre to start 11 medical colleges
with an intake of 100 students each, he said the corporation had earmarked over Rs 250
crore for the purpose.
Taking note of its state-of-the-art health facilities, the Centre would accord
permission to ESIC for setting up new medical colleges from the next academic year itself,
he said.
The ESIC was also accorded permission to admit as many as 440 PG medical students in
its chain of hospitals.
''ESIC has tied up with various medical institutions and universities to teach PG
students utilising its clinical facilities,'' he said.
Replying to questions, Mr Chaturvedi said the Rajajinagar ESI Hospital, which was taken
up for upgradation and modernisation at a cost of Rs 160 crore, had all the requisite
facilities to start medical college with an intake of 100 seats.
ESIC-run hospitals also had plans to offer courses in Nursing, Dental, Pharmacy and
para-medical courses.
-- UNI
