Insurance Medical Services Department

The Insurance Medical Services (IMS) Department in Kerala works under the administrative control of the Labour Department, Kerala Government. India's first comprehensive, multifaceted social security program for organized sector employees is the Employees State Insurance Scheme. The Insurance Medical Services Department in the State of Kerala administers medical treatment under this program. The Labor Department is in charge of this department's administration; formerly, the State Health Services Department carried out the program. The important and socially beneficial responsibility of offering comprehensive medical care services to the worker population and their dependents and safeguarding against specific situations that result in loss of pay or earning ability falls to the ESI Scheme.

In cases where an employee has died or become disabled as a result of an occupational disease or injury, the program also provides financial assistance to physically disabled employees and their families. The Insurance Medical Services Department is in charge of carrying out the State Government's statutory responsibility for medical care administration. Nine hospitals and 147 dispensaries provide medical services. Total number of doctors in the Department is 515.  Treatment under Allopathic, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic systems is provided to ESI beneficiaries.  Based on audit certification from the Accountant General regarding the final account payment system, the ESIC, which is the collector and custodian of funds, reimburses the expenditure to the Government of Kerala in the agreed-upon ratio of 7:1.