Coimbatore: More than ten months after its inauguration by Prime Minister Modi, the ESI hospital in Tirupur remains far from fully operational, leading to challenges in patient care.
The 100-bed hospital, located on Pooluvapatti Ring Road in Tirupur, was inaugurated via videoconference on February 25. It was built at a cost of ₹82 crore to serve around 20 lakh insured employees and their families in Tirupur and Erode districts. Prior to this, these individuals had to rely on the ESI hospital in Coimbatore.
However, despite the hospital’s inauguration, only 20 beds are currently in operation, leaving many patients needing treatment to be referred to Coimbatore, particularly for more complex medical procedures.
A patient shared, “With only 20 beds available, most inpatients are being transferred to the Coimbatore hospital for advanced treatments.”
Another patient noted, “Many departments remain closed due to a shortage of equipment, doctors, and technicians. It’s crucial that the Tirupur hospital is equipped to handle all kinds of treatment.”
In response, Dr. R. Srinivasan, the hospital’s medical superintendent, stated, “Currently, seven outpatient services are operational, and inpatient services are available with 20 beds. Emergency, casualty, and ambulance services are also functioning. The equipment required to operate the remaining beds and services is being procured, and it will take another three to four months for the process to be completed.” He assured that the hospital will be fully operational in the coming months.
