THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) finds it disturbing that the Home Ministry has decided to allow a window of 365 days for migrant workers to get a health screening upon arriving in Malaysia.
Was proper consultation done with public health experts on this decision, which can have an impact on the health of the country’s population?
The Health Ministry (MOH) and Human Resources Ministry (MOHR) should insist that the health screenings be done as early as possible once these workers arrive. It has been a requirement for them to be screened within 30 days.
As we will be expecting a large number of migrant workers coming into the country to address shortages in manpower, we could perhaps consider extending the period for the FOMEMA health screening to 60 days.
A one-year window for screening is too long and will increase the risk of infectious diseases being imported into the country.
As it is, the country is still reeling from the havoc caused by COVID-19. We do not need an import of other infectious diseases to cause more economic woes, which the Government is trying to correct by bringing in migrant workers.
Whilst we are in urgent need of such workers right now, we cannot allow an additional health burden to our country which may negate the efforts of the home minister.
A resurgence in cases of tuberculosis and even leprosy has already been detected, and we have previously detected imported cases from foreign workers during the screening process which we should also be concerned about.
Risking lives for convenience
Ignoring these other threats to the health of our population can potentially put a strain on our healthcare system if such diseases go undetected and spread in the community.
We urge the Home Ministry to reverse this decision and revert to the 30 days for the screening or an extension to 60 days, if there is a need. The private general practitioners registered with FOMEMA are well placed and have the capacity to carry out these mandatory tests.
After two-and-a-half years of the pandemic, we should by now understand the importance of safeguarding the health of the population against infectious diseases. – July 18, 2022
Dr Koh Kar Chai is the president of the Malaysian Medical Association.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
