Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta has called on the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment to fast-track the takeover of Mangaluru's ESI Hospital by the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). In a letter dated February 13, 2026, Capt. Chowta highlighted that the 100-bed hospital serves about 2.5 lakh insured people from Dakshina Kannada and surrounding areas but suffers from severe understaffing, affecting patient care. He stressed that ESIC’s early takeover is vital for better staffing, management, infrastructure upkeep, and overall use aligning with ESI Scheme goals. The MP requested the Ministry to speed up necessary approvals for a swift handover to benefit insured patients and their families. To help this process, the Karnataka government has formed the Karnataka ESI Society enabling ESIC's control. Capt. Chowta also mentioned his February 6, 2025, meeting with ESIC Director General Ashok Kumar Singh, where they discussed the urgent need for ESIC to directly manage the hospital to improve administration and healthcare quality.