Islamabad: In a move aimed at addressing workplace-related illnesses and injuries, the Health Services Academy (HSA) Islamabad and the Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI) have signed an agreement to establish Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) management centres across Punjab, with the first facility to be set up in Lahore.
The initiative, led by both the public sector institutions, is being seen as an important step toward integrating occupational health into the broader public health framework in Pakistan, where workplace safety remains a largely neglected area despite rising industrialisation and an expanding labour force.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by HSA Vice Chancellor Dr Shahzad Ali Khan and PESSI Commissioner Zulfiqar Kharal in the presence of Punjab Labour Minister Mansha Ullah Butt and Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services Dr Azeem Nelson.
Under the agreement, dedicated OSH centres will be established to provide preventive and curative health services to workers, particularly those employed in high-risk sectors such as manufacturing, construction and informal industries. HSA officials said the centres would also focus on early detection of occupational diseases, an area where Pakistan lacks both surveillance and reporting systems.
Public health experts have long warned that thousands of workers in Pakistan are routinely exposed to hazardous environments, including toxic chemicals, unsafe machinery and poor ventilation, leading to chronic respiratory illnesses, injuries and long-term disabilities. However, the absence of structured occupational health services has meant that most cases go undiagnosed or are treated late.
Dr Shahzad Ali Khan said the collaboration reflects the growing recognition of occupational health as a critical component of public health, adding that institutional partnerships are essential to address emerging health risks in workplaces. He noted that the centres would also serve as hubs for training, research and policy development to improve occupational safety standards in the province.
PESSI Commissioner Zulfiqar Kharal said the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the social security system in Punjab by ensuring safer working environments and better healthcare access for registered workers. He said the organisation aims to introduce sustainable interventions that can reduce workplace-related disease burden and improve productivity.
Officials added that the OSH centres would help build capacity among healthcare providers and employers, promote compliance with safety regulations and generate data to inform policymaking, an area where Pakistan currently faces significant gaps.
The participation of senior government representatives at the signing ceremony indicates that authorities are increasingly acknowledging the link between labour welfare and public health outcomes, particularly as occupational exposures continue to contribute to the country’s disease burden. Health experts believe that if implemented effectively, the initiative could serve as a model for other provinces, where similar gaps in occupational health services persist.
