Materia Medica Malaysiana

Socso to give free check-up at 40

KUALA LUMPUR: Socso contributors who turn 40 will be given free health screening to detect early symptoms of medical problems among the country’s five million contributors.

The screening will include a physical examination and blood tests to detect health problems, including cancer.

If initial test results indicate that a person is at risk of developing diabetes or other ailments, he will be asked to go for a second and more thorough examination.

Should the second screening provide clearer evidence of a high sugar or cholesterol level in the person's blood, he will be put on a special programme to reduce the risk of him becoming a diabetic or a heart patient.

Those found to be suffering from more serious medical problems will be sent to government hospitals for treatment.

The number of contributors who will benefit from the move is still being worked out, but the figure is said to be “substantial.”

Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn said the plan, aimed at providing quality service to contributors, would be implemented soon under a pilot project.

“We want our contributors to benefit from this free health screening. We hope to promote a healthy lifestyle

and reduce the risk of people developing ailments linked to unhealthy habits,” he said when contacted on Saturday. Dr Fong, who is in Europe for an official visit, said Socso officials were working out the details before the proposal ilemented.

“Under the pilot project, the free screening will be offered to contributors at the Socso offices and not at panel clinics,” he added.

The Socso board hopes the plan will help reduce the high number of workers suffering from permanent disabilities due to diseases.

According a senior Socso official, about 60% of those awarded permanent disability benefits suffered from diseases which could be detected and treated early in life.

He said the screening exercise would also help identify contributors with unhealthy lifestyles, such as those who smoked, did not exercise and ate excessively.

“Socso will recommend programmes to help smokers quit while overweight people will be advised to change their eating habits.

“This will not only benefit a large segment of contributors but also the organisation in the long run, as early intervention will also reduce Socso payouts in the future,” said the official.

This, he noted, would also help address the issue of Socso's expenditure outstripping contributions within the next 10 to 15 years.