SINDH EMPLOYEES SOCIAL SECURITY INSTITUTION

In Pakistan, Social Security Scheme was launched on 1st March, 1967, under West Pakistan Employees' Social Security Ordinance No. X of 1965, with the assistance of the International Labour Organization. The Sindh Employees' Social Security Institution (SESSI), however, came into being on 1st July, 1970 when the Scheme was reorganized on provincial basis after the dissolution of One-Unit. Initially, the Scheme was designed for coverage of textile industry workers of Karachi and Hyderabad. On getting encouraging results later on the Scheme was extended to all other industries and commercial units.

SESSI is an autonomous body, the general direction and superintendence of the affairs of the Institution vest in a tripartite Governing Body. In its functioning, the Institution is guided by such instructions on questions of policy as may be given to it from time to time by the Government.

SESSI is a service oriented organization. The function of the Institution is unique in nature for the welfare of labour class. It aims at providing medical care facilities and cash benefits to the secured workers and their dependants.

Administration: The general direction and superintendence of the affairs of the Institution vest in a tripartite Governing Body. In its functioning, the Institution is guided by such instructions on questions of policy as may be given to it from time to time by the Government. 

Medical Care occupies the most significant place in the services of SESSI more than  70% of its budget is spent on providing medical care facilities to the secured workers and their dependants.

Cash Benefits: Under Social Security Scheme secured workers are entitled to cash sickness benefit, injury benefit, maternity benefit, iddat benefit, disablement gratuity, disablement pension, ex-gratia grant and dependants get survivors' pension and death grant.

The composition of the Governing Body is as under:

(1)      Provincial Minister Labour, Sindh Chairman

(2)      Secretary Labour Deptt., Sindh Member

(3)      Secretary Industries Deptt., Sindh Member

(4)      Secretary Health Deptt., Sindh Member

(5)      Secretary Finance Deptt., Sindh Member

(6)      Commissioner, SESSI Member/Secretary

(7)      Three persons to represent Employers Member

(8)      Three persons to represent Workers Member

(9)      Medical Adviser, SESSI Member (Ex-officio)

The Commissioner is the Chief Executive of the Institution who exercises all powers on behalf of Governing Body.

In the discharge of his duties the Commissioner is assisted by Vice Commissioner in administrative matters

and Medical Adviser in medical matters.

SESSI is a self generating Institution; the main source of income of SESSI is the Social Security Contribution. 

Employers covered under the Scheme contribute towards the Scheme @ 6% of their wages 

paid to insurable workers.

Functions

The main functions of SESSI is to provide medical care and cash benefits to secured workers and their dependants in the event of sickness, maternity, employment injury, death grant, iddat, disablement gratuity, disablement pension, survivors' pension and ex-gratia grant. 

Governing Body Function:  The main functions of the Governing Body are as under:

1.  To approve the Budget estimates, audited accounts and annual reports of the Institution and, 
2.  To call for any information or direct any research to be made for the furtherance of the objects of the Ordinance. 

Directorates Function: The main functions of Directorates are collection of Social Security Contribution, payment of Cash Benefits, Registration of employers and workers and Survey of new establishments. 

Medical Circles Function: The main function of Circles is to provide medical care facilities to the secured workers and their dependants through dispensaries and medical centres. 

Hospitals Function: The main functions of the hospitals are to provide specialists medical care to secured workers and their dependants through OPD and IPD. Further, laboratory tests, X-ray, ultrasound, dialysis, endoscopy, etc. are performed. Necessary operative treatment also provided here.

Medical Services

Applicability: The Scheme applies to the entire province of Sindh. However, administrative offices/ medical outlets are functioning in Karachi, Dhabeji, Nooriabad, Kalu Kohar, Kotri, Hyderabad, Tando Jam, Tando Adam,  Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Rohari and Sukkur.

Services: SESSI provides medical facilities to the secured workers and their dependents. For providing the medical facilities there are currently 39 dispensaries, 5 medical centres and 4 hospitals running under SESSI. In order to get the medical facilities, secured workers and their dependents have to get them registered to any of the 39 dispensaries near their house at their own will. At the first stage of medical treatment, patients have to take medical treatments from the dispensaries they are registered with. The medical facilities that are provided at dispensaries are:

  · Medical Officer / Lady Medical Officer are available who provide routine medical check-up and treatment.

 · Pregnant ladies are provided antenatal check-up/ treatment.

The patients who require specialists’ opinion or hospital treatment are referred to nearest SESSI hospital and the treatment advised by hospital is carried out at dispensaries.   

Medical Care: Medical care occupies the most significant place in the services of SESSI more then 70 % of its budget is spent on providing medical facilities to the secured workers and their dependants. SESSI has made elaborate arrangement for providing these facilities. All the medical outlets are manned with qualified & experienced doctors and paramedical staff and equipped with latest instruments. Branded medicines, which purchased from reputed pharmaceutical firms are supplied to the dispensaries for providing needy secured workers and their dependants.

 EXTENT OF MEDICAL CARE SERVICES

FOR SECURED WORKERS AND DEPENDANTS

• OPD treatment from dispensary 
• OPD / IPD (including specialists treatment) at hospitals
• Providing treatment outside SESSI’s medical out-lets in case facility is not available 
• All clinical investigations  
• Providing medicines from SESSI's medical out-lets/ approved drug stores

Projects

    More than 70% of SESSI budget  revolve around medical care and largest chunk of Institution's financial resources is spent in this sphere, the main thrust is on bringing the hospitals, medical centres and dispensaries at par with first rate private medical institutions, ensuring excellent medical care to the secured workers and their dependants. First step has already been taken in this direction by making adequate provisions in the current fiscal year budget for modernisation of medical facilities. 

    It is believed that according to modern theory of health care primary units are strengthened to shed load from secondary and tertiary units. The existing primary health care facilities at our dispensaries will be improved so as to reduce the increasing demands on our secondary health care medical centres and hospitals.

As the monthly contribution is payable to the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI) on behalf of every secured employee at the rate of six per cent of the minimum wage