NS Dept to meet Health Ministry over medical staff deployment

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The National Service Training Department will meet the Health Ministry to discuss the deployment of medical staff at all NS camps.
Department director-general Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil, who is happy with the decision, said that previously, each camp had only two paramedics who were on standby 24 hours.
“We will hold discussions as soon as possible with the Health Ministry on the exact number of medical people to be seconded to the camps.
“We have about 80 NS camps which may need 240 more hospital assistants and 190 nurses,” he said.
“Parents will be assured that their children’s healthcare will be managed well and more effectively during their training period,” he said after attending the presentation of excellent service awards to Defence Ministry staff here yesterday.
Abdul Hadi said 30,500 NS trainees would report for the third series on June 16.
On another matter, he advised parents to fill the medical assessment forms before their children attend training or if they want their children to be exempted for medical reasons.
He said that while it was not necessary for the trainees to undergo medical check-ups, they should make a declaration of their health status.
The parents should sign the forms and get confirmation from doctors on their children’s health status, he added.
Abdul Hadi said this procedure would help the camp management to check the health background of the trainees.
“Those reporting for training on June 16 should complete the forms truthfully, and the camp management can bring them to the nearest hospital or clinic if a medical check is needed.
“Trainees who want to postpone their stint because of health reasons should also complete the forms after getting their doctor’s approval,” he added.