Medical tests abroad not effective: Fomema

Daily Express: Kota Kinabalu: Random testing on approximately 10 per cent of foreign workers by Fomema at the various points of entry into the country indicated that the "system" of testing at the country of origin was not very effective.
Approximately six per cent of those randomly tested were found to be "unsuitable" for employment, said CEO of Fomema (Foreign Workers' Medical Examination Monitoring Agency) Sdn Bhd, Datuk Kamaluddin Yusoff, adding that this figure would probably be higher as the random testing did not include x-ray examinations.
"In fact, it has been found that of the total numbers of foreign workers who were found 'unsuitable' for employment, about 70 per cent were those tested for the first time in the country under the Fomema system," he said, adding these same foreign workers were certified fit in their home country prior to coming to Malaysia.
"Fomema believe it is for this reason that the Government decided to implement the procedure, that is for medical examinations of legal foreign workers are to be carried out within 30 days upon the arrival of the foreign workers," said Kamaluddin.
He was responding to a statement by Centre for Services and Counselling for Foreign Workers and House Maids (PPKPA) Malaysia Chairman Datuk Muhd Kamil Awang who questioned the need to continue the monopoly enjoyed by Fomema on foreign worker medical care.
Kamaluddin said the Government in its concession agreement with Fomema stated that all legal foreign workers are to be medically examined prior to them obtaining their work permit.
"However, due to logistical reasons, the Immigration Department had relied upon the medical certificate from the home country of the foreign worker when issuing work permits for the first year.
"As a result, foreign workers only undergo the Fomema-regulated medical examination before they can renew their work permit for the second year i.e. 12 months after their arrival," he explained.
This practice was changed when the Government announced that with effect from Aug 1, this year, medical examinations of legal foreign workers are to be carried out within 30 days upon their arrival.
"Notwithstanding this, even before the recent change, the Sabah Immigration Department required all legal foreign workers in the State to undergo a medical examination within two weeks of their arrival.
"However, the medical examination was not carried out under the Fomema system that allows monitoring and supervision as well as independent result transmission by our service providers (doctors, X-ray facilities and labs) to Fomema and, thereafter, to the Immigration Department," said Kamaluddin.
The medical examination carried out under the Fomema system is a screening programme imposed by the Government as a condition to obtain a work permit, he added.
"After a foreign worker has gained permission to work in the country, it is the employers' responsibility to take care of the health of the foreign workers. Fomema does not have the authority to perform follow-up checks on foreign workers apart from the mandated annual medical examination prior to applying for a new work permit," he said.
Kamaluddin also said that Fomema are not able to comment on the position taken by the Sarawak Government.
"On our part, we have made our presentation to the Sarawak Government on the importance of adopting the Fomema system as means to check and control the import of communicable diseases which may be brought in by foreign workers.
"We believe the Sarawak Government is receptive to our proposals and they acknowledged the benefits that a monitoring and screening system like Fomema will bring to the State," he added.
It is not fair or accurate to say that Fomema is only interested to conduct initial and annual check-ups on workers but not made responsible to provide follow-up checks on the workers.
"As stated, Fomema's agreement with the government only provides for the annual medical screening of foreign workers for diseases specified by the Ministry of Health. Fomema will be pleased to perform follow-up checks if it is mandated to do so," said Kamaluddin. Muhd Kamil was quoted as saying that panel doctors from his organisation are paid RM60 per foreign worker.
"Fomema's panel doctors are also paid RM60 per foreign worker examined," said Kamaluddin.
(However, it has since been clarified by PPKA that the payment-sharing between the panel doctors and appointed foreign doctors is 50-50. The RM60 payment is only applicable after the second year with all dues to the panel docs).
"The other costs are mainly for laboratory tests and X-ray examination as directed by the Ministry of Health," he explained.
It should be pointed out that before Fomema was appointed to carry out the monitoring and supervision of the medical examination as prior to that, there wee no standardised medical examinations, he added.
In an interview with Daily Express on June 5, Kamaluddin said Fomema's senior management went to great lengths to explain the operations of Fomema and measures its new management has taken to ensure that medical examination carried out by Fomema's service providers are of the highest quality and standards.