Thoothukudi ESI hospital to become operational by end of March 2026

As 98% of building construction works have been completed, the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) hospital, currently being established at SIPCOT area in Thoothukudi, is set to become operational by the end of March 2026.

The 100-bed facility is set to provide much needed medical infrastructure to the ESIC cardholders in Thoothukudi district.

Although the foundation stone for the facility was laid in 2014, the project remained stalled for more than six years before being revived in 2022, at an estimated cost of around ₹150 crores. The construction plan was divided into two phases, with the first phase involved building a compound wall, while civil works for the hospital building began in the second phase.

Thoothukudi, being the industrial hub of southern districts, a significant number of ESIC cardholders from the district travelling either to ESIC-affiliated hospitals or to the ESIC facility at Vannarapettai in Tirunelveli. The new facility aims to reduce this dependency and provide accessible healthcare within the city itself.

A senior official from Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Regional Office, Chennai, confirmed that the works at the facility are progressing steadily and emphasised that the hospital will provide secondary and tertiary care, with super-speciality treatments introduced gradually.

“The hospital’s staff strength will adhere to ESIC norms for 100-bedded facilities, with departments, including general surgery, paediatrics, diabetology, obstetrics and gynaecology and others,.” he added.

He further noted that upon the commencement of operation, based on the patient footfall, additional medical services and facilities anticipated by the patients would be reviewed and measures would be taken to upgrade the facility further.

However, during a press conference held in Chennai, in last August, A. Venu Gopal, Regional Director (incharge), ESIC, Chennai said that the construction of ESI hospital in Thoothukudi is in its final stage and it would be ready for functioning by the end of 2025.

Despite this, the facility still awaits to begin its operation.

Pertaining to the delay in operation, Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi raised a question in lok sabha, noting while the ESI hospital in Thoothukudi is completed by 98%, it has not become operational due to the non appointment of staff for the departments, including outpatient department and other service professionals.

Responding to the question, Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the medical staff would be appointed and the facility would be made operational by the end of March 2026.

Once operational, the Thoothukudi ESIC hospital is expected to significantly enhance healthcare access for industrial workers and their families.