NHA and ESIC sign MoU for convergence of ESI scheme with AB PM-JAY

To strengthen coordinated healthcare delivery and expand access to quality services, an MoU was signed on Tuesday between the National Health Authority (NHA) and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation for convergence of the ESI scheme with the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

The MoU was signed by Sanjay Mehrishi, Joint Secretary, NHA, and Ashok Kumar, Director General, ESIC.

Another MoU was drawn up between ESIC and National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) to promote quality assurance and accreditation in all ESIC healthcare facilities. The agreement was signed by Dr Ramanand N Shukla, CEO, NABL, and Dr R Srinivasan, Medical Commissioner (MS), ESIC, with an aim to strengthen laboratory services and ensure compliance with national quality standards, the Ministry of Labor and Employment said after the 75th foundation year celebration of the ESIC.

Minister for Labor and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya, at a meeting, described the institution’s journey as a remarkable example of growth, reforms and service to the nation.

Mandaviya emphasized that ESIC must continue to adopt a reform-and-performance approach and take collective “sankalps” in its 75th year to further improve service delivery. He stressed the need to ensure the availability of medicines, equipment and doctors in all hospitals and called for minimizing referrals by strengthening internal facilities and ensuring that staff members carry out their duties with due diligence.

He underlined that in India “Swasthya hi seva hai, aur seva hi hamara sanskar hai” (“Health is our mission, and service is our tradition”) and urged all medical professionals and officials to uphold discipline and honor the trust of the people of our country. He also stated that ESIC’s standards should strive to match premier institutions like All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The Union Minister also stated that the provision in the labor laws provides for mandatory health check-ups for all employees above the age of 40, which would help strengthen employee welfare and create a protected workforce.

ESIC started its journey in 1952 with around 1.2 lakh beneficiaries and a single pharmacy. Today, it has expanded to serve over 15 crore beneficiaries through an extensive network of 166 hospitals, 17 medical colleges and nearly 1,600 pharmacies, he stated.

Published on February 24, 2026