Over 18k construction workers benefit from Shramik Sanjeevini Yojana

Hubballi: The Shramik Sanjeevini Yojana, aimed at providing healthcare to construction workers and their families, treated 18,379 workers last year in Dharwad district. The mobile treatment centres under the yojana provide free medical services to workers at construction sites, workers' colonies, and their houses.
The unit is run through agencies on a contract basis under the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.Each unit has four staff members, including a doctor, two nurses, and a driver. Eye check-ups, blood pressure, diabetes, HIV detection, blood tests, and treatment for pregnant women are being conducted under the scheme.
Dharwad labour officer Akbar Mulla told TOI that the staff of the mobile treatment centre is providing treatment guidance to the needy, the elderly, and women of the colony based on the information of the colony and the place where the registered workers are working. They are providing necessary medication for anaemia, diabetes, and other diseases.
"Apart from that, some private hospitals in the city will provide necessary treatment for workers' illnesses. The cost of this will be borne by the labour department. This project has benefited the construction workers, as well as, their families. Awareness has been created among the workers about health, and a large number of them are taking advantage of this scheme.," the officer said.
Shivappa Kalasad from Hubballi, a construction worker, said doctors come to the doorsteps and provide treatment and medicine. "This scheme is helping workers to overcome health issues free of cost. Earlier, the money we earned was spent on our treatment," he said.
Shivanand Asuti, labour organisation leader, said the mobile treatment unit is helpful for the construction workers. "The number of units should be increased to ensure healthcare services for more labourers," he said.