The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed Employees State Insurance (ESI) authorities to reconsider the provision that a reference from ESI hospitals was mandatory to get admitted to ESI-empanelled private hospitals.
Commission acting chairperson P. Mohanadas directed the director, ESI, to take steps for the purpose. This was based on a complaint filed by K. Ramachandran, a resident of Kozhikode. Mr. Ramachandran’s wife was admitted to a private hospital in the city after she complained of breathlessness. It is alleged that the hospital authorities reportedly refused to accept the reference from ESI hospital as it was submitted only the next day.
The commission had sought explanation from the medical director, insurance medical service. The commission pointed out that private hospitals were empanelled to ensure good treatment facilities for those entitled to ESI benefits and directed authorities to reimburse the amount spent for treatment based on his claim.
