**Executive Summary**
The document reports the inauguration of a 100-bedded ESIC Hospital in Doddaballapur and the foundation stone laying for another 100-bedded facility in Bellary, Karnataka, by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. Key highlights include the announcement of a mandatory nationwide health check-up drive for workers aged 40 and above starting May 7th and an update on India's social security coverage, which has expanded from 19% to 64%. The initiative underscores the government's commitment to worker welfare through infrastructure development, labour reforms, and accessible healthcare.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Healthcare Infrastructure Expansion**
* Inaugurated a 100-bedded multi-specialty ESIC Hospital in Doddaballapur, Karnataka, constructed on 5 acres at a cost of ₹101.14 crore.
* Virtually laid the foundation stone for a 100-bedded ESIC Hospital in Bellary, Karnataka, to be developed on 5.21 acres with an estimated cost of ₹150 crore.
* The Doddaballapur facility includes 32 staff quarters and offers services such as OPD, modular operation theatres, emergency care, gynecology, pediatrics, and comprehensive diagnostics (radiology, laboratory, and blood bank).
**Preventive Healthcare and Screenings**
* Announcement of a nationwide health screening drive starting May 7th across all ESIC hospitals.
* Mandatory health check-ups introduced for workers over 40 years of age to facilitate early disease detection.
**Social Security and Labour Reforms**
* Social security coverage has increased significantly, with the number of insured persons doubling from 2 crore to 4 crore over the last decade.
* Implementation of four Labour Codes aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.
* Mandatory issuance of appointment letters and the guarantee of equal wages for both men and women.
* Extension of ESIC coverage to workers engaged in hazardous occupations.
**Educational Opportunities**
* Establishment of 20 ESIC medical colleges to make medical education accessible to workers' families.
* Reservation of 40–50% of seats in these medical colleges specifically for the children of insured persons.
**Impact Analysis**
**Workers (Aged 40+ and those in Hazardous Occupations)**
**Impact**
Eligible workers will receive mandatory, free health check-ups and improved disease detection. Those in hazardous sectors now have guaranteed social security and ESIC coverage.
**Action Required**
Workers aged 40 and above should report to ESIC hospitals for the nationwide health screening drive starting May 7th.
**Insured Persons and Their Families**
**Impact**
Approximately 5.5 lakh beneficiaries in the Doddaballapur and Bengaluru areas gain access to free, high-quality multi-specialty medical care. Families also benefit from reserved quotas in ESIC medical colleges.
**Action Required**
Beneficiaries should utilize the new facility for medical services and apply for reserved seats in ESIC medical institutions where applicable.
**Construction Workers**
**Impact**
Recognition of their contribution to national infrastructure; specific individuals were honored and disbursed benefits during the event.
**Action Required**
Continue to engage with ESIC for the disbursement of entitled benefits.
Key Entities Referenced
Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC): The primary organization providing social security and medical healthcare to workers, responsible for the newly inaugurated and proposed hospitals.
Labour Codes: The four legislative frameworks driving reforms in worker transparency, mandatory health check-ups for workers aged 40+, and expanded social security coverage.
ESI Scheme: The social security program under which medical education, hospital facilities, and free medical services are provided to insured workers and their families.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya: The Union Minister of Labour & Employment who inaugurated the healthcare facilities and announced nationwide worker welfare initiatives.
Doddaballapur and Bellary, Karnataka: The central locations for the newly inaugurated 100-bedded multi-specialty ESIC hospital and the site for a proposed second facility.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
“Shramik is Nation’s Vishwakarma”: Dr. Mansukh
Mandaviya Emphasizes Workers’ Pivotal Role in
Nation-Building
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates 100-Bedded ESIC
Hospital at Doddaballapur; virtually lays foundation stone for
100-bedded ESIC Hospital at Bellary, Karnataka
Free Nationwide Health Check-Up Drive for Workers aged
40+, under the Labour Codes, from May 7th: Dr. Mandaviya
From 19% to 64% Coverage: India Witnesses Historic
Expansion in Social Security, highlights Dr. Mandaviya
Posted On: 03 MAY 2026 2:37PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya,
inaugurated the newly constructed 100-bedded Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital
at Doddaballapur, Karnataka, and remotely laid the foundation stone for a 100-bedded ESIC Hospital at
Bellary, Karnataka, from Doddaballapur today. Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, the Minister of State for
Ministry of Labour and Employment and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri K.
Sudhakar, Member of the Lok Sabha and Shri Dheeraj Muniraj, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Doddaballapur were also present during the event.Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasized that access to quality
healthcare is an integral part of social security for workers. He stated that “Shramik is the true builder of
the nation and is our Vishwakarma. It is our responsibility to ensure all necessary arrangements for their
welfare.” He further noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, dignity and
empowerment of workers is central to governance and national development.
Dr. Mandaviya underscored the significant expansion of ESIC coverage over the past decade. The number
of insured persons under social security has doubled from about 2 crore to 4 crore, he emphasised. “More
than 40 crore workers in the country are now covered under various social security schemes, reflecting a
substantial rise from 19% coverage in 2015 to over 64% today, as noted by the International Labour
Organisation (ILO),” he added.
Speaking on labour reforms, the Union Minister noted that the implementation of the four Labour Codes
ensures transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. Mandatory appointment letters have been introduced,
equal wages for men and women are ensured, and workers in hazardous occupations are now guaranteed
ESIC coverage, he elaborated. Dr. Mandaviya further informed that 20 ESIC medical colleges have been
established to make medical education accessible to workers’ families. With 40–50% of seats reserved for
children of insured persons, these institutions are opening new avenues and opportunities for the workers
and their families.Emphasizing preventive healthcare, the Minister announced that under the new labour framework,
workers above 40 years of age will undergo mandatory health check-ups to detect diseases at an early
stage. A nationwide health screening drive for workers, under this initiative, will be launched from 7th
May in ESIC hospitals across the country to ensure large-scale coverage, Dr. Mandaviya announced.
Highlighting the regional impact of the newly inaugurated hospital, the Minister pointed out that the area
hosts multiple textile industries employing over 1.5 lakh registered workers. Including their families,
nearly 5.5 lakh people stand to benefit from the ESIC healthcare facilities, he stressed. These hospitals, he
said, will act as a blessing for the workforce and their family members, providing completely free medical
services to insured persons and their dependents.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment, the Minister stated that the welfare of workers remains a core
priority, and continuous efforts are being made to strengthen social security mechanisms and improve the
quality of life for India’s workforce.Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, the Minister of State for Ministry of Labour and Employment and Ministry of
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, while addressing the gathering, mentioned that the establishment
of the hospital marks a proud moment for Karnataka and a significant milestone in the government's
commitment to worker welfare, as the facility at Doddaballapura will offer comprehensive medical
services including OPD, modular operation theatres, emergency care, gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics,
ophthalmology, dental services, pharmacy, and diagnostics. With this hospital, 1.50 lakh insured persons
and 5.50 lakh beneficiaries of Bengaluru and the nearby area will have easy access to quality healthcare,
she said.
She highlighted that this inauguration reflects the unwavering resolve of the Government of India and
ESIC to ensure that every worker and his/her family receives the social security and medical care they
rightfully deserve, reinforcing the government’s vision of a healthy, protected, and productive workforce
for a Viksit Bharat.
As a special gesture, Dr. Mandaviya also honored the construction workers who contributed to the
development of the hospital and disbursed benefits to ESI beneficiaries during the event.The ESIC Hospital at Doddaballapur, Bengaluru Rural, Karnataka, is a 100-bedded multi-specialty
secondary care facility built over 5 acres at a cost of ₹101.14 crore. It includes 32 staff quarters and offers
key services such as General Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics,
emergency care, and comprehensive diagnostic facilities including radiology, laboratory, and blood bank.
The proposed ESIC Hospital at Bellary will be developed on 5.21 acres with an estimated cost of ₹150
crore and will provide modern, state-of-the-art healthcare services to insured persons and their families
under the ESI Scheme.
*****
Rini Choudhury/Anjelina Alexander
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