NT Reporter
Margao
The Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Hospital in Margao is operating significantly below its potential due to a severe shortage of staff, with 74 key positions currently vacant, including that of the medical superintendent, doctors, and nursing personnel.
Concerned visitors to the hospital have raised alarm over the burden on the existing staff.
“Immediate action must be taken to fill the vacant posts and enhance the operational efficacy of the hospital. Patients should not be subjected to undue hardship. The existing staff is overloaded,” said a visitor.
According to sources, the ESI scheme in Goa caters to nearly 2.8 lakh beneficiaries, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen healthcare services, even though only secondary care is currently offered under the scheme.
Responding to a question raised in the Goa Legislative Assembly by the Margao BJP MLA Digambar Kamat, Labour Minister Atanasio Monserrate confirmed the staffing crisis. As per the written reply, there is a shortage of 12 medical insurance officers and 51 nursing staff, among other key posts, including the medical superintendent, assistant superintendent, matrons, and assistant matrons.
The shortfall has directly affected the quality and reach of medical services offered by the ESI Hospital, with calls asking the Labour Department and the ESI Corporation to urgently address the staffing gaps to ensure uninterrupted and quality healthcare to insured persons and their dependents.
