Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh: In a landmark move to strengthen healthcare infrastructure for India’s workforce, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated a newly constructed 30-bedded Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in Kala Amb today. Built at a cost of approximately ₹100 crore, the hospital is designed for future expansion to 100 beds and is expected to benefit more than one lakh ESI beneficiaries in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district and surrounding areas.
Addressing a gathering at the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that the new hospital is more than just a building—it is a tribute to India’s labour force, whom he described as the true architects of the nation. “This hospital is not just a walled structure—it is a shrine that honours our Shram Shakti, the strength of our nation,” he said. In a moving gesture, the minister also felicitated the construction workers who helped build the facility, underscoring the government’s commitment to recognizing and respecting the dignity of labour.
During the event, Dr. Mandaviya announced that the government has decided to establish medical colleges in all ESIC hospitals with 200 or more beds. Importantly, 40 percent of the seats in these institutions will be reserved for the children of insured workers, thereby expanding educational opportunities for the families of those who contribute significantly to the nation’s economic foundation.
The Union Minister lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the first leader to genuinely respect and uplift the country’s working class. He stated that the ESIC network is continuously expanding under the Prime Minister’s leadership, with the new hospital in Kala Amb representing yet another step in that mission.
He reaffirmed that ESIC hospitals would not differentiate based on financial capacity. “Whether the cost of medication is ₹1 or ₹1 crore, there will be no compromise. Every life matters equally,” Dr. Mandaviya said. Recalling a recent instance, he noted how the government promptly approved ₹2 crore worth of life-saving medicines for the son of a poor insured worker, reinforcing the principle that poverty must never become a barrier to essential healthcare.
The modern hospital will provide services in key specialties such as General Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, and Dental Care. It is also equipped with advanced support infrastructure, including a modular Operation Theatre, a Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD), and a Medical Gas Pipeline System. Both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) services will be available to meet the region’s growing healthcare demands.
Dr. Mandaviya concluded by assuring that all pending recruitments for ESIC facilities will be completed in mission mode so that workers across the country receive the quality healthcare they deserve. He reiterated the government’s unwavering focus on creating a healthy citizenry, which he described as the foundation of a healthy society and a prosperous nation.
