ISLAMABAD, Jan 15 (APP): Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Thursday inaugurated five newly built, fully equipped 25-bed Workers’ Hospitals in Balochistan’s remote mining regions, including Pishin, Dalbandin, Nokundi, Chamalang and Muslim Bagh.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by provincial ministers, Members of the Provincial Assembly from Pishin, Labour Advisor Balochistan Sardar Ghulam Rasool Umrani Provincial Minister Noor Muhammad Dummar, Federal Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Secretary Workers Welfare Fund Zulfiqar Ahmed, senior officials of the Balochistan Health Department, officers of the Workers Welfare Fund Balochistan, representatives of workers’ organizations, and a large number of workers.
Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, while addressing the ceremony, said the initiative reflected more than an official duty. He noted that he stood there as a Pakistani paying tribute to the sacrifices and hard work of miners. He added that the hospitals being established were not mere structures, but a solemn pledge by the State of Pakistan to safeguard the welfare of its workers.
He informed that these hospitals have been constructed in accordance with the guidelines of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to provide safe, dignified, and free medical facilities to industrial and mining workers.
He further stated that although these hospitals were constructed in 2018, they remained non-functional due to the lack of medical equipment and the absence of MoUs. However, through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and the Government of Balochistan, these hospitals have now been fully activated and handed over to the Balochistan Health Department.
The Federal Minister clarified that these hospitals will not be limited only to workers and their families; rather, the general public of Balochistan will also be able to benefit from these medical facilities without discrimination and free of cost.
“The workers of Balochistan are our top priority. The Federal Government will continue to take all possible measures for their health, safety, dignity, and welfare,” he added.
On the occasion, the Federal Minister expressed special gratitude to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, stating that due to his worker-friendly policies and vision, such welfare projects are being materialized.
He also paid tribute to the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and said that peace and stability form the foundation of development and public welfare projects.
Appreciating the efforts of the Government of Balochistan, the Health Department, the Workers Welfare Fund and all concerned institutions, the Federal Minister said that these hospitals will play a vital role in saving thousands of precious lives in the coming years and in laying the foundation for a healthy and prosperous Balochistan.
On this occasion, Labour Advisor Balochistan Sardar Ghulam Rasool Umran also addressed the ceremony and presented commemorative shields to Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, and Secretary Workers Welfare Fund Zulfiqar Ahmed.
While briefing the participants, Secretary Workers Welfare Fund Zulfiqar Ahmed stated that under the guidance of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, the journey of workers’ welfare will continue uninterrupted, and in line with their vision, these hospitals have been made operational.
Earlier, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the Balochistan Health Department and the Workers Welfare Fund.