ESI in disarray

1. ■   26 ESI dispensaries, earlier merged into 13 units, now ordered to function separately again
2. ■   Frequent relocations from private to government buildings causing operational disruptions
3. ■   Many new locations lack basic facilities like toilets, elevators, and easy access
4. ■   Cost-cutting move leading to confusion among staff and inconvenience to beneficiaries
5. ■   Tight two-month deadline raises concerns over service quality and patient care
6. ■   Staff were even asked to rely on coordinates to locate certain dispensaries. 

metro india news  I hyderabad

The Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) system in Telangana is facing unprecedented confusion as 26 dispensaries, currently merged into 13 operational units, are now set to be separated and relocated. The sudden and conflicting orders from the Directorate have left staff, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and beneficiaries in a state of frustration.

In recent months, the Directorate had ordered ESI dispensaries operating in private buildings to shift into government hospitals and buildings, citing financial burdens from paying rent. While this move was aimed at cost-cutting, it created multiple challenges. Several government premises lacked basic facilities such as toilets or elevators, and some locations were hard to identify. Staff were even asked to rely on coordinates to locate certain dispensaries. Despite these difficulties, employees managed to transfer equipment and continue operations without major disruption.

Now, the Directorate has issued new instructions to further complicate the situation. The 26 dispensaries, previously merged into 13 locations for operational convenience, are to be separated and run independently. This includes pairs such as Kavadiguda with Kavadiguda Road, Kavadiguda (New) with Vidyanagar, Ameerpet with Khairatabad, Borabanda with Balanagar, Balanagar Old with Sanathnagar, Chilkalguda with Moula Ali, Dabirpura with Yakutpura, Ramantapur with Old City, 

Secunderabad with Regimental Bazaar, Jeedimetla 1 with Jeedimetla 2, Sarapaka with Ramavaram, and the Sanathnagar branch.

“This decision is causing enormous operational headaches,” said a senior ESI nurse. “We had carefully merged these dispensaries to streamline resources and manage staff efficiently. Now we have to start from scratch, locating new government buildings and setting up separate operations for each unit.”

The relocation orders are not limited to operational logistics. Employees must now ensure that dispensaries previously co-located in a single government building are split and accommodated in separate premises. Many of these buildings still lack basic amenities, making the task even more challenging. In some cases, dispensaries are to be moved to areas difficult for patients to reach, such as remote parts of the city or adjacent to police stations. Staff members are concerned that the constant relocations will disrupt patient care and reduce operational efficiency.

Beneficiaries are also facing uncertainty. Many are unsure where to access services on any given day, causing confusion about appointments and treatment schedules. “We don’t know which dispensary is open or where to go. Sometimes we have to visit multiple locations to get the same services, which is very frustrating,” said a regular patient in Hyderabad.

ESI officials maintain that moving dispensaries into government buildings is financially prudent and reduces dependency on rented private spaces. However, repeated relocations and the separation of previously merged dispensaries have resulted in operational inefficiencies and increased workloads for employees. Staff members are spending more time moving equipment and setting up premises than attending to patients.

The Directorate’s latest instructions also specify strict timelines, requiring all 26 dispensaries to be fully operational in their new separate locations within two months. Employees worry that these rushed deadlines may compromise service quality and disrupt treatment schedules. Several dispensaries, including Tarnaka, Patancheru, Warangal Industrial Colony, Sirpur Kagaznagar SPM Colony, and multiple Jeedimetla and Balanagar locations, must be relocated again despite already being moved into government hospitals in the past year.

With no clarity on why previously merged dispensaries are being split again, staff and beneficiaries are left frustrated and confused. Questions about the practicality and necessity of repeated relocations continue to be raised among employees, who feel that administrative decisions are being implemented without considering ground realities.

The ongoing turmoil highlights the challenges of managing ESI dispensaries across Telangana efficiently. Without consistent planning and clear communication, both staff and beneficiaries are bearing the brunt of constant relocations and conflicting directives. While cost-saving is an important consideration, the current approach is creating confusion, disrupting services, and leaving employees scrambling to meet new orders.