Pune: The sonography machine at the State Employee Insurance Scheme (ESI) Hospital in Chinchwad has been collecting dust for the past ten years due to the absence of a radiologist. The sonography unit has even been sealed.
As a result, pregnant female employees have to go to Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital for sonography.
The long wait times for sonography appointments have raised serious concerns about workers' health. It has been revealed that not a single sonography has been performed in the last ten years.
The ESI hospital in the city serves a large number of workers from areas such as Chakan, Talegaon, Baramati, Junnar, Lonavala, and Hinjewadi.
Many workers benefit from the Employee Insurance Scheme, with regular ESI deductions from their salaries. However, despite these contributions, workers are not receiving adequate medical treatment.
Approximately 500 workers seek treatment daily, but the ESI hospital lacks basic facilities. At least 300 beds and modern diagnostic equipment are needed here. Substantial funds are provided to ESI from small industries.
While some companies contribute millions of rupees to the ESI department, the lack of modern facilities at the ESI hospital means workers are referred to government hospitals such as Sassoon Hospital and YCM Hospital for treatment.
Pregnant women, in particular, face a significant burden as they must travel to YCM for sonography, resulting in time and financial costs. Many of these women are from economically weaker sections, making private transport difficult.
Additionally, the hospital does not perform deliveries through surgery. Although the hospital has a sonography machine, the lack of a radiologist has meant that no sonographies have been performed, causing significant mental stress for patients.
Dr. Varsha Supe, Medical Superintendent at ESI Hospital, Mohannagar, stated, "Under the Employee Insurance Scheme, beneficiary workers are sent to private hospitals for super-specialty services that are unavailable here. We have not had a radiologist for ten years. We have repeatedly requested the government, but a radiologist has not been made available."
