Key Points made by HLEM and others, during the 75th ESIC Foundation Day (Platinum Jubilee) Celebrations

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Subject: Key Points made by HLEM and others, during the 75th ESIC Foundation Day (Platinum Jubilee) Celebrations - reg.

The 75th Foundation Day (Platinum Jubilee) of the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) was celebrated on 24 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The occasion was graced by the Hon'ble Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, the Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment and the Director General, ESIC. The key points emerging from their addresses are summarised below :-

I. Address by Hon'ble Union Minister - Key Points

The Hon'ble Minister delivered a forward-looking and reform-oriented address, highlighting ESIC's remarkable journey from its modest beginnings to its present status as a large, integrated health and social security institution. He emphasized that growth must be accompanied by maturity, accountability and reform-oriented governance and underscored that officers, doctors and staff constitute the true strength of ESIC, with motivation, innovation and commitment being essential for sustained excellence. He stressed the need for rationalisation of referrals and strengthening of in-house treatment facilities to optimise resources, along with ensuring transparent and efficient procurement systems for the uninterrupted availability of medicines. The Hon'ble Minister also highlighted the importance of adopting technology, accountability and good governance practices at all levels.

With regard to labour reforms, he particularly emphasized the implementation of labour codes, including:

• Mandatory annual health check-ups for workers aged 40 years and above and;
• Expansion of coverage to the unorganised sector and hazardous industries.

He further stated that ESIC today serves more than 15 crore beneficiaries through a nationwide network of 166 ESI Hospitals, 17 ESIC Medical colleges and nearly 1,600 ESIC Dispensaries. He emphasized that with such expansion comes greater maturity, strength and responsibility and stated that ESIC should aspire to become a global benchmark in integrated social security and healthcare delivery by maintaining high medical standards comparable to global standards. He also stressed on the fact that ESIC Hospitals should continue to remain the first preference for Insured Persons (IPs) by assuring high standards of medical care and delivering quality healthcare services while upholding patient dignity, public trust and professional integrity.

II. Address by Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment - Key Points

The Secretary congratulated ESIC on completing 75 years of service and underscored its significant contribution to national productivity and the financial protection of workers. She observed that ESIC plays a vital role in preventing medical impoverishment and in strengthening the national workforce, with the SPREE Scheme and expansion of coverage having significantly widened the social security net. She emphasized the need for further strengthening hospital governance, reducing avoidable referrals and improving procurement systems, along with aligning ESIC hospitals with Indian Public Health Standards. The Secretary also stressed the importance of quality assurance through NABH/NABL accreditation and closer collaboration with national institutions, noting that ESIC's adequate financial corpus places it in a strong position to meet its expanded responsibilities.

Under the Code on Social Security, she highlighted that ESIC must prepare for:

• Coverage of unorganised and gig workers,
• Voluntary coverage of small establishments and
• Mandatory annual health check-ups for workers above 40 years of age.

She concluded by emphasizing a strong focus on prevention, wellness, early detection and partnerships for effective implementation.

III. Address by Director General, ESIC - Key Points

The Director General highlighted the evolution and expansion of ESIC since 1952, noting its transformation into a nationwide social security and healthcare institution serving crores of beneficiaries. He emphasized the successful implementation of e-Office across ESIC and the need to further strengthen digital governance through Panchdeep 2.0 and comprehensive revamping of IT systems. He also underlined the large-scale recruitment undertaken to address staff shortages, particularly of doctors, faculty and paramedical staff, which has led to improved service delivery. The Director General pointed to the strengthening of in-house tertiary care facilities and the expansion of ESIC Medical Colleges, along with significant progress made in litigation management and the disposal of long-pending cases. He further highlighted the expansion of coverage through the SPREE Scheme, ESIC's readiness to shoulder enhanced responsibilities under the Code on Social Security, convergence initiatives with States through CSCs and PHCs and integration with the National Health Authority platform to improve access to tertiary care, reaffirming ESIC's commitment to a technology-driven, transparent and beneficiary-centric administration.

All the field units are hereby requested to take note of the above points emerging from the addresses of the Hon'ble Union Minister, Secretary (Labour & Employment) and Director General, ESIC and make concerted efforts towards their effective implementation. The concerned offices may align their activities and initiatives in accordance with the vision and priorities highlighted, with a view to further strengthening service delivery, governance and expansion of coverage under the ESI Scheme.

This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.

[unclear in source] (Manoj Kumar Yadav) Assistant Director (PR)

To

1. Zonal Medical Commissioners/Zonal Insurance Commissioners
2. All Addl. Commissioners & Regional Directors/Regional Directors/Dy. Directors(l/c)
3. All Deans of ESIC Medical Institutions
4. All Medical Superintendents of ESIC Hospitals
5. D(M)D, D(M)N and NTA

Copy to:

1. PS/PPS to Director General/ Financial commissioner/ Chief vigilance officer/Insurance Commissioners/Medical Commissioners, Hqrs Office, ESIC