KARACHI, Feb 27: The government is taking effective steps for the welfare of miners and providing them and their families with all possible education and health facilities for the last two years.

The facilities include free-of-cost treatment, administration of Hepatitis B vaccine, scholarships for their children, free uniforms and textbooks and other stationery, besides establishment of middle school.

This was said in a report presented by the Sindh Mines Labour Welfare Organisation to the provincial minister for Labour, Transport and Industries, Muhammad Adil Siddiqui, stated a press release on Sunday.

The report said a 10-bed hospital had been established in Lakhra, district Dadu with the cooperation of the Sindh Workers Welfare Board, while medical facilities were also being upgraded at dispensaries in Manghopir (Karachi) and district Thatta.

Some 12,307 and 18,868 patients benefited from these medical facilities during 2003 and 2004 respectively. The report also said that miners and their families were administered Hepatitis B vaccines for the first time in 2003-04, on the directive of the Sindh minister for Labour and Transport, and this facility continues to be offered. A significant increase in the enrolment of miners' school children had been recorded in the last two years as a result of government efforts. - APP