The Sindh Occupational Diseases & Injuries Surveillance System (SODISS) project, a joint initiative by the Aga Khan University (AKU) and the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI), has successfully taken off in Karachi. The project aims to improve occupational health surveillance in Pakistan by developing a simple, digital surveillance system to record occupational diseases and injuries among registered workers.
The project’s pilot phase, conducted at SESSI hospitals in Karachi, involved collecting data from two thousand patients. This data analysis revealed high-risk industries such as auto workshops, tire and glass factories, soap and detergents industry, and flour mills. The insights gained from this project will be instrumental in developing better health and safety regulations to protect workers across Sindh.
Also Read: AKU and UNICEF Collaborate to Enhance Primary Education in Balochistan
The SODISS project is a significant step towards understanding the health challenges faced by workers in Pakistan. By collecting and analyzing data on occupational diseases and injuries, the project will help identify high-risk industries and develop targeted interventions to prevent these issues. The collaboration between AKU and SESSI is a promising example of how academic institutions and government agencies can work together to improve the health and well-being of workers.
