KARACHI, July 5: The Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (Sessi) will spend Rs772.90 million on providing medical facilities to some 385,314 registered workers during the year 2007-08. The amount forms 73 per cent of the total budget. Last year, the institution had spent Rs748 million on the provision of medical facilities.

On the directives of Sindh Labour Minister Adil Siddiqui, full attention is being paid to further improving the medical facilities for workers, Sessi sources said here on Thursday.In this regard Rs135 million has been allocated for the purchase of medicines as against Rs114.20 million earmarked last year. These medicines will be purchased from reputed local and international pharmaceutical companies as per pharmocopia which is prepared by a committee consisting of representatives of employers and employees and medical experts.

A kidney centre built for workers will also become operational this year.

Sessi has kept its medical centres on the top among development plans for the new year. The plans include the installation of a lift in the Valika Hospital and construction of an administration block in the Kotri Hospital.

In the Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital, construction of a neurology department is fast going on with the cooperation of the Sindh Workers’ Welfare Board.

In the sprawling Nooriabad Industrial Estate, construction of a 20-bed ward, an X-ray facility, laboratory and labour room has been completed at a cost of Rs64 million to provide better facilities to workers.

A 10-bed ward and a labour room has been built at the Social Security Kotri Hospital at a cost of Rs2.8 million.—APP