KUALA LUMPUR (3 October 2012): STARTING Jan 1 next year, some 1.4 million private sector employees will enjoy free medical screening amounting to RM200 million, as announced by the prime minister in the 2013 Budget.
This sentiment was echoed by Socso chief executive officer Datuk K. Selvarajah who said the allocation was very much needed by the workers.
“Their health and safety must be given priority so the allocated amount from the 2013 Budget is very much appreciated.”
Selvarajah said the workers could perform the check-up at all government hospitals and Socso’s panel clinics.
Under the 2013 Budget, an allocation of RM19.3 billion was provided for healthcare management and development.
It is an increase of RM2 billion from the 2012 Budget. A portion of the money from the budget is for the free health screening for Socso contributors.
Apart from that, the allocated amount included RM20 million for 70 new 1Malaysia clinics and a RM100 million allocation to upgrade 350 clinics nationwide and to replace and buy 150 dialysis machines in government centres across the country.
Also present at the launch were Socso chairman Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid and National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health executive director Rosli Hussin.
With the theme “Building a Culture of Commuting Accident Prevention for a Healthy and Safe Future”, the seminar addressed the rising number of commuting accidents.
As of last year, the number of work-based accidents had decreased by 37 per cent from 95,006 accidents in 2000 to 59,897 accidents last year.
However, the percentage of commuting accidents rose by 26 per cent in the past 10 years. In view of that, prevention programmes would be implemented by Socso to minimise injuries.
