ESIC Pensioners' Association Raises Alarm Over Medical Negligence

Strategic Insights -

The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has been criticized for alleged medical negligence involving a retired ESIC employee who has been denied entitled treatment for a life-threatening illness. The ESIC Pensioners' Association, NCR-Delhi, claims that the designated Nodal Officer has refused to authorize the beneficiary's proper treatment despite clear entitlements under the Pensioners' Medical Scheme-2006 (PMS-2006). The Association alleges that this denial violates the Revised Guidelines of PMS-2006, which explicitly state that ESIC pensioners are entitled to medical facilities equivalent to those enjoyed by Central Government pensioners.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ESIC Pensioners' Association, NCR-Delhi, has raised serious concerns over an alleged case of medical negligence involving a retired ESIC employee who has been denied entitled treatment for a life-threatening illness.
  • The designated Nodal Officer has allegedly refused to authorize the beneficiary's proper treatment despite clear entitlements under the Pensioners' Medical Scheme-2006 (PMS-2006).
  • The denial is claimed to violate the Revised Guidelines of PMS-2006, which explicitly state that ESIC pensioners are entitled to medical facilities equivalent to those enjoyed by Central Government pensioners.
  • The Association alleges that the cancer patient has been harassed by ESIC, with delays in ongoing chemotherapy due to the withheld referral.
  • The Association has urged the authorities to intervene urgently, ensure adherence to PMS-2006 provisions, and uphold the rights and dignity of retired employees who served the institution.

Statistics:

  • The alleged denial of treatment has resulted in three delayed chemotherapy sessions for the cancer patient.
  • The Revised Guidelines of PMS-2006 were approved in the 184th Meeting of the ESI Corporation.
  • The PMS-2006 provides that if an ESIC hospital lacks specific facilities, pensioners can opt to have treatment from an empanelled hospital.

Sources:

  • "ESIC Pensioners' Association, NCR-Delhi" (no date)
  • "Press Statement by J P Sharma, General Secretary of the ESIC Pensioners Welfare Association" (no date)
  • "Pensioners' Medical Scheme-2006 (PMS-2006)" (approved in the 184th Meeting of the ESI Corporation)