Malaysian Immigration To Have Second Medical Check Like Brunei
By Zarinah Daud

Butterworth (Malaysia) - The Immigration Department has suggested that the Government introduce mandatory medical screening on foreign workers at entry points to ascertain they are free from contagious diseases following Brunei's example.

Director-General Datuk Mohd Jamal Kamdi said double screening had been implemented in Brunei where prospective foreign workers must be medically certified by clinics back home and at the points of entry the Star newspaper reports..

He said yesterday the compulsory second medical check was the only possible way to ensure foreign workers were fit to enter the country.

"It is better to have a second opinion and certification by Malaysian doctors on the medical status of every foreign worker at the points of entry.

"Double screening will mean additional costs but it is the only answer to stop the problem.

"The Immigration Department has received complaints from employers about their sick workers, including maids but the matter is under the jurisdiction of the Health Ministry.

"We can only suggest the double screening if we do not want contagious diseases to spread in the country," he said after the handing over ceremony of the RM8.5mil state Immigration Department new office from turnkey developer Penang Development Corporation.

At present, medical checks are only compulsory when the maid's annual permit is up for renewal while for first-timers, it is up to employers' discretion whether to send them for medical examination by Fomema's panel of clinics upon their arrival in Malaysia.

Mohd Jamal was commenting on the Sunday Star report that the Health Ministry had ordered an investigation into complaints of Indonesian maids who had been certified fit back home but arrived here with contagious diseases.

Brudirect.com