The West Bengal government is planning to upgrade facilities at all ESI hospitals in the state in two phases, a senior official of the health department said today. 

In the first phase, five hospitals in Maniktala, Budge Budge, Asansol, Serampore and Uluberia, will be modernised with adequate facilities for critical patients.  "We will set up intensive care units (ICUs) and sick newborn care units (SNCUs) at these ESI hospitals," the official told, adding that the decision was made after a survey was conducted at these establishments.  West Bengal, at present, has 14 ESI hospitals in Kamarhati, Sealdah, Serampore, Belur, Baltikuri, Uluberia, Kalyani, Gourhati, Budge Budge, Maniktala, Asansol, Bandel, Durgapur and Thakurpukur. The one in Manicktala, which is a referral hospital, has around 500 beds while all other hospitals collectively have around 3000 beds. 

The ESI, Sealdah, houses oncology and pain management units while the one in Belur in Howrah district is exclusively meant for treating tuberculosis (TB) patients.  "The sole idea is to reach out to people who mostly depend on these ESI hospitals," the senior government official said.  Employees' State Insurance (ESI) is a self-financing social security and health insurance scheme for employees of the organized sector.  Workers registered under the scheme are entitled to medical treatment for themselves and their dependents, unemployment cash benefit in certain contingencies and maternity benefits.