Dr Hilmi: Tuberculosis the most prevalent disease among foreign workers

KUALA LUMPUR: Tuberculosis (TB) is the most prevalent disease among foreign workers who entered the country legally in 2013.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said that based on data from the foreign workers medical screening agency, Fomema, the number of TB cases in 2013 was 16,751 or 45% of the total, while Hepatitis B recorded 5,348 cases (14%) and contagious sexually transmitted diseases, 1,839 cases (1.4%).

Dr Hilmi said as soon as the foreign workers were found to have the disease, their employers were ordered to promptly repatriate them to prevent spread of infection to the local community.

"We need to ensure those who come to work here legally must undergo medical screening first, and if confirmed they are not suffering from any disease, then only they can be registered for work," he said in a speech at the opening of a Fomema branch, here, Thursday.

Dr Hilmi also urged employers to be more proactive in ensuring their employees undergo medical examination by Fomema prior to obtaining their work permits.

"Employers must also ensure that their employees are covered under the Foreign Workers Health Insurance Protection Scheme (Spikpa) so as not to burden the taxpayers," he said. - Bernama