New Delhi: The medical care to workers in unorganized sector is to be extended under the planning of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

While attending the 140th meeting of Corporation, Minister of Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes said that the ESI scheme being the premier social security scheme, must come forward and make a starting by participating in Health Insurance Scheme for below the poverty line workers in the unorganized sector by making available its vast network of hospitals.

In the meeting, the discussion was on the proposal to amend specific provisions of the ESI Act, 1948, to enable the opening of facilities in the hospitals to non-insured persons on payments of user charges.

On October 1, the Centre announced a health insurance scheme, “Swasthya Bima Yojana,” for providing the health insurance cover to people below poverty line in unorganized sector and their families.

The scheme has to be provided through government as well as private hospitals.