Patna: A nationwide programme offering free annual health check-ups to workers aged over 40 was launched on Thursday at the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation Medical College and Hospital in Bihta, as part of the Indian government’s broader push to implement new labour welfare provisions under recently notified labour codes.
The initiative was inaugurated virtually from New Delhi by Mansukh Mandaviya, India’s labour and employment minister, who launched the programme simultaneously across 12 locations nationwide.
The scheme follows the notification of labour codes in November 2025, including provisions under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSH Code) 2020, which mandates annual health check-ups for workers above the age of 40. Under Section 6(1)(C) of the code, employers are required to ensure yearly medical screenings for eligible workers.
Officials said the programme, organised by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, aims to strengthen preventive healthcare measures for insured workers and reduce the financial burden caused by untreated illnesses.
Speaking at the event, Bihar’s labour resources secretary, Deepak Anand, said the state government remained committed to worker welfare and the implementation of labour reforms at the grassroots level. Rajesh Bharti, Bihar’s labour commissioner, outlined provisions under the OSH Code, including paid leave for workers undergoing annual health examinations.
The dean of ESIC Medical College, Dr Vinay Biswas, stressed the importance of routine health screening, while officials from the ESIC highlighted benefits available under the ESI scheme, including sickness allowance, workplace injury compensation, maternity benefits and pensions for dependants in cases of worker fatalities.
Niranjan Kumar, regional director of ESIC Bihar, described annual health screening as a statutory obligation for employers and said the initiative was intended to help create a healthier workforce. He also detailed provisions under the ESI scheme, including lifetime pensions for workplace accidents and maternity benefits of up to 26 weeks.
Dr Rachita Biswas, zonal medical commissioner, said early health screenings could help detect conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease at an early stage, potentially reducing long-term health risks for workers.
Government officials said the programme was intended to improve industrial productivity and reduce workplace accidents by ensuring earlier diagnosis and treatment through the ESIC healthcare system.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks attended by government officials, healthcare professionals and workers participating in the programme.
