Illegal immigrants bringing infectious diseases into country, warns Health Minister

The Malaysian Insider
The Home Ministry must take measures to stem the influx of illegal immigrants entering Malaysia due to the increase in the number of infectious diseases, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

"Cases involving foreigners suffering from infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis have increased over the past five years”, Subramaniam said.

“If authorities do not take the necessary steps to tackle this issue, it will pose a threat to Malaysians."

The Health Minister said that the authorities did not know how many illegal immigrants were suffering from infectious diseases.

"What we can estimate is that 7.8% of illegal immigrants are suffering from an infectious disease, especially those working in Sabah," Subramaniam told a press conference at a seminar in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

He said what is needed is the full cooperation of the Home Ministry to reduce and monitor the entry of illegal immigrants into the country.

Foreigners with a work permit should undergo a health check as part of the procedures to obtain a renewal, said Subramaniam.

"Health issues come under our purview, but we do not have the authority to detain illegal immigrants working here and it is quite certain that they have not undergone a health check-up,” he said.

“But it is within our authority to require foreigners who have work permits to undergo a full body check-up and if they fail, they should be sent back." – October 27, 2013.