Health Dept To Investigate Fomema Claim On Irregularities

KEPALA BATAS, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- The Health Department will investigate case by case the suspension of panel clinics by Fomema for failure to comply with standard operating procedures, Director General of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said Saturday.
The Health Ministry has a special division that liaises with Fomema, the Foreign Workers Medical Examination and Monitoring Agency, and it would seek further information on the claim, he told reporters at the Prime Minister's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house, here.
Press reports on Saturday quoted Fomema as saying that it had suspended the services of 91 clinics and 42 x-ray centres for failing to adhere to the standard operating procedures.
"If there are doctors or clinics that had resorted to irregularities, we support the action by Fomema," Dr Ismail said.
He also said that if the investigation found that doctors had violated ethics, the department would request action by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).
Dr Ismail said the department would also rectify weaknesses in the regulations permitting clinics to conduct health checks on foreign workers.