KUALA LUMPUR (29 December 2012): THE one-off free health screening offered by the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to nearly two million of its contributors is a win-win situation for both workers and employers as it will create health-conscious workers, leading to better productivity.
Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Shamsuddin Bardan lauded the Health Screening Programme (HSP).
He said it was a huge step in early detection for health problems for those who were 40 and above.
“Workers will start to have health problems as they grow older and 40 is the right age to start screening, as early detection means early recovery.
“It will be better if the screening can be done on a regular basis, like once in every five years.”
He said the screening helped workers to maintain their health, leading to better performance.
Socso chief executive officer K. Selvaraj said contributors could start making use of the HSP from Tuesday by using screening vouchers that had been distributed to them earlier.
“The vouchers, which were given out since November, will finally be distributed by the third week of January nationwide,” said Selvaraj, adding that Socso had spent RM1.92 billion on this programme.
Health Ministry research medical officer Dr Wan Md Shihabudin Wan Mamat said there would be no time limit for the HSP voucher as the goal was to identify non-communicable diseases for better management.
“This programme is in line with the slogan rakyat sihat negara maju (healthy citizens, progressive country).”
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the programme was a headstart to a healthy and productive nation as it would help to identify those at risk of getting non-communicable diseases.
“Screening for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases, prostate, cervical and breast cancers as well as cholesterol levels help workers maintain their health.”
He said results of the screening would be analysed by a committee, comprising specialists.
The HSP was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when tabling the 2013 Budget on Sept 28, to ensure workers’ good health and productivity.
Source: NewStraitsTimes
