Telangana Launches Biggest ESI Recruitment in 15 Years

247 Staff Nurses Appointed; Over 300 More Doctors and Paramedical Staff to Be Recruited Soon

HYDERABAD, July 17: In a major boost to healthcare services for industrial workers, the Telangana Government on Friday launched the largest recruitment drive in the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Department in nearly 15 years by issuing appointment orders to 247 Staff Nurses. The recruitment marks the first large-scale direct induction into the department since 2011 and is part of the government’s broader plan to strengthen ESI hospitals across the State.

The appointment letters were handed over jointly by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Minister for SHAKTI (Labour, Employment, Training & Factories) and Mines, Dr. G. Vivek Venkatswamy, at a function held at Komaram Bheem Adivasi Bhavan. The nurses were selected through the Medical and Health Services Recruitment Board (MHSRB).

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Vivek Venkatswamy said the recruitment reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for workers and their families by eliminating staff shortages in ESI hospitals. He noted that nursing personnel form the backbone of healthcare delivery and play a crucial role in providing timely and compassionate medical services.

The Minister said the ESI network currently serves nearly 20 lakh insured workers and about 75 lakh beneficiaries, including their family members. To provide quality healthcare, he said hospitals require adequate numbers of doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, medicines and modern medical equipment.

Dr. Vivek stated that the ESI healthcare system had suffered years of neglect under the previous government. After the Congress government assumed office, a comprehensive review of ESI hospitals was conducted under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, with the support of Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka. As part of the reforms, nearly ₹72 crore in pending dues was released to clear medicine shortages, while additional funds were sanctioned for maintenance and infrastructure improvement.

He said the State government is committed to modernising every ESI hospital in Telangana with advanced medical facilities. The Minister added that these issues were recently discussed with Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to further strengthen ESI healthcare infrastructure.

To reduce the patient load on Sanathnagar ESI Hospital, specialised services are being expanded at R.C. Puram ESI Hospital, where a Dialysis Unit and Cardiac Care Centre are being established. Similar facilities are also being introduced at Nacharam ESI Hospital, enabling workers to access specialised treatment closer to their homes.

The Minister further announced that proposals are under way to establish new ESI hospitals at Ramagundam, Shamshabad, Mahabubnagar and Kothagudem, in line with Telangana’s growing industrial expansion. He said all ESI hospitals in the State would be modernised in phases over the next 12 to 18 months.

Dr. Vivek Venkatswamy also announced that the recruitment process has begun for 599 posts in the ESI Department. Following the appointment of 247 Staff Nurses, the government will soon recruit 120 Civil Assistant Surgeons, 6 Dental Surgeons, 99 Pharmacists, 34 Laboratory Technicians, 54 ANMs, along with other paramedical personnel. These recruitments, he said, will ensure that every ESI institution has adequate manpower.

The Minister further announced that the government has approved the establishment of a Nursing College at Nacharam ESI Hospital, aimed at strengthening nursing education and creating a skilled healthcare workforce for the future.

Addressing the newly appointed nurses, Dr. Vivek urged them to view their profession not merely as employment but as a service to society. Highlighting the growing international demand for nursing professionals, particularly in Germany and Japan, he said the Telangana government, through TOMCOM, is providing foreign-language training to help healthcare professionals secure overseas employment opportunities.

Government Committed to Workers’ Welfare: Bhatti Vikramarka

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka described the recruitment of 247 Staff Nurses after a gap of 15 years as a landmark step reflecting the State government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare services for workers.

He said that while the ESI Department had failed to provide adequate services during the previous decade, the Congress government had made labour welfare a top priority after assuming office. He credited Minister Dr. Vivek Venkatswamy with bringing the issues of staff shortages, inadequate infrastructure and the need for reforms in ESI hospitals to the government’s attention, leading to the approval of a phased recruitment programme.

Bhatti said the appointment of 247 Staff Nurses marks only the beginning, and recruitment of doctors, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, ANMs and other staff would soon follow, significantly improving healthcare services across ESI hospitals.

The Deputy Chief Minister also alleged that the previous BRS government had neglected the Labour Department and workers for ten years. He said Dr. Vivek Venkatswamy has consistently worked for labour welfare since assuming office, addressing workers’ concerns and implementing long-pending wage revisions, benefiting lakhs of working families across Telangana.

The programme was attended by Energy Secretary Dasari Harichandana, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Labour Gangadhar, ESI Joint Director Kranthi Sagar, and senior officials from the ESI and Labour Departments.