Initiative Aligned with PM Narendra Modi’s Vision of a Healthy & Self-Reliant India

By Special Correspondent Arun Sharma,New Delhi

In a significant step towards strengthening workers’ welfare and preventive healthcare, Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has announced annual free medical check-ups for members above 40 years of age under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). The announcement was made on the occasion of ESIC’s 75th Foundation Day, marking a milestone in the evolution of India’s social security framework.


Highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare, the Labour Minister stated, “This initiative will greatly benefit workers and ensure early detection of diseases. Our focus is not only on treatment but on timely diagnosis and quality healthcare delivery.”


He further emphasized that ESIC hospitals will be strengthened with improved availability of medicines, modern equipment, and qualified doctors. “We are committed to upgrading facilities across ESIC institutions so that insured workers receive seamless and dignified healthcare services,” Mandaviya said, underlining the government’s worker-centric approach.


Strengthening ESIC’s Healthcare Network
Currently, ESIC’s vast healthcare network includes 166 hospitals, 17 medical colleges, and nearly 1,600 dispensaries across the country. The ESIC Health Insurance Scheme covers approximately 3.8 crore beneficiaries, out of which nearly one crore members are above 40 years of age — the primary beneficiaries of this new annual check-up scheme.


In another major development, ESIC has signed an agreement with the National Health Authority to integrate the ESI Scheme with the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, ensuring expanded access and portability of healthcare services. Additionally, ESIC has collaborated with the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) to enhance diagnostic quality standards.

In Line with PM Modi’s Vision
The initiative resonates strongly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Swasth, Sundar Bharat” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat.” By prioritizing preventive healthcare and institutional strengthening, the government aims to create a healthier workforce — a critical pillar for national productivity and economic resilience.


The move reflects a broader transformation in India’s public health strategy, where early diagnosis, digital integration, and institutional accountability are becoming central themes.


With this announcement, the Labour Ministry has sent a clear message: worker welfare remains at the heart of governance, and accessible healthcare is a fundamental right — not a privilege.