Occupational Health Services for Unorganized sector workers
In Tamil Nadu, the un-organized sector work force constitute 93% of the total workforce (Census 2011). They suffer from various occupation-induced diseases like Silicosis, Asbestosis, Deafness, Irritant Dermatitis, Spondylosis etc. Since most of the occupation-induced diseases result in irreversible damage, timely screening, prevention and early treatment is the way forward.
Government has issued orders for implementation of occupational health services for unorganized sector workers in all 385 blocks through respective MMUs. The MMUs visit the unorganized sector areas every Saturday and in addition one working day of first week of every month and provide occupational health services to workers. From April 2019 to July 2020, 1,08,707un-organized sector workers were screened, of whom 9,675workers were suspected and referred to district level hospital for further investigations and treatment.
Government has introduced 50 Mobile Health Clinics for providing Occupational Health Services for construction workers. This activity is funded by Department of Labour and Employment and implemented through NHM-TN.