Budgam, April 24: Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday inaugurated a newly constructed 30-bed hospital under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation at Ompora, aimed at expanding medical services and strengthening welfare measures for workers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said the facility marks the establishment of the first ESIC hospital in the Kashmir region and is expected to significantly improve access to affordable healthcare for insured employees and their dependents. The project is part of ongoing efforts to enhance social protection and health infrastructure for the working population.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring dignity and security for workers, noting that the nation’s growth depends heavily on the well-being of its workforce. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to strengthening labour welfare systems and expanding healthcare coverage.
Mandaviya also highlighted recent labour reforms designed to make employment conditions more transparent and worker-friendly. He said these measures include safeguards such as formal employment documentation, wage protection, and periodic health assessments to promote early diagnosis and preventive care.
The newly inaugurated hospital has been constructed at an estimated cost of around ₹165 crore and includes provisions for future expansion to accommodate additional beds. Authorities said the facility is expected to serve tens of thousands of workers and their families across the district and surrounding areas.
The Employees’ State Insurance Scheme, introduced in Jammu and Kashmir in 1989, is currently operational across all districts of the Union Territory, providing healthcare and social security benefits to a large number of insured persons. Senior officials from the labour department, ESIC administration, and local authorities attended the event.
