Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resources and Social Protection and Chairman of the Governing Body of the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI), Saeed Ghani, said today that strict action would be taken against any doctor, paramedical staff member or officer found responsible for the spread of HIV.
Mr Ghani made these remarks while presiding over the SESSI Governing Body’s budget meeting for the fiscal year 2026-27. The meeting was attended by Sindh Labour Secretary Sajid Jamal Abro, SESSI Commissioner Hadi Bakhsh Kalhoro, Governing Body members Abdul Jabbar Khan, Khalil Baloch, Muhammad Khan Abro, Zahra Khan, Mukhtiar Awan and Abdul Wahid Shoro, along with other senior SESSI officials.
He reiterated that the government’s policy on the matter was clear and uncompromising, and no individual would be given any concession. He directed officials to immediately compile comprehensive data on all children affected by HIV, including those who had died due to the disease. He also ordered the preparation of detailed reports on all affected families to facilitate welfare and rehabilitation measures.
During the meeting, the Governing Body unanimously approved SESSI’s annual budget for 2026-27, which projects a surplus of more than Rs9.74 billion.
According to the budget estimates, SESSI’s income for the fiscal year 2026-27 has been projected at Rs18.569 billion. After including accumulated savings, the institution’s total available funds are estimated to exceed Rs42.30 billion. Total expenditures have been estimated at Rs18.508 billion.
The budget also allocates Rs12.020 billion for investments and Rs2 billion for an HIV Endowment Fund. The Labour Minister directed that workers be provided with comprehensive healthcare services at all hospitals operating under SESSI. He instructed authorities to upgrade all SESSI hospitals with modern facilities and ensure the provision of quality medical treatment to workers.
He reiterated that the Sindh government had made it clear from day one that anyone found responsible for the spread of HIV-whether a doctor, paramedical staff member or officer-would face strict administrative and legal action. Negligence or misconduct in this regard will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Ghani further directed that a complete and comprehensive database of HIV-affected children be prepared, including records of deceased children. Detailed reports on affected families should also be compiled to enable the government to design and implement effective welfare measures.
He said upgrading all SESSI hospitals in line with modern healthcare standards remains one of the government’s top priorities. The government is also working to establish additional hospitals for workers not only in Karachi but in other urban centres of Sindh.
The minister said efforts were also underway to make SESSI’s administrative system more transparent and efficient. He added that the institution’s contribution mechanism was being fully digitised to ensure greater transparency in workers’ registration, contribution collection and other administrative processes.
Ghani said the Sindh government remained committed to the welfare of workers and would continue taking practical measures to improve healthcare services, social protection and other essential facilities for labourers across the province.