Socso withdraws controversial criteria for dialysis aid

PETALING JAYA: The Social Security Organisation (Socso) has withdrawn with immediate effect a controversial revision to the criteria for dialysis aid which it made recently.

"After considering the welfare of the workers and upon advice from the Minister of Human Resources, the Socso Board has decided to withdraw the directive on the qualifying criteria.

"This move will allow all Socso's eligible insured persons, including invalidity grant recipients, to receive the dialysis aid as before.

"The withdrawal of the directive takes effect immediately," Socso said in a statement issued on Thursday (Feb 6).

It added that the revision order, which took effect on Jan 10, was aimed at tightening the guidelines for subsidised dialysis treatment.

This was to ensure that the recipients of dialysis aid met the minimum qualifying criteria of contributions to Socso.

Following this revision, the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) in a statement on Jan 31(Friday) voiced its concerns, claiming that the decision was “cruel” as it affected the destitute and often poorest workers.

Also questioning Socso's move was MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong who asked if the move had been discussed by the Cabinet beforehand.

He noted that the cost for dialysis treatment was very high and could set back those getting treatment up to RM4,000 monthly.

“What happened to the fight for the workers’ plight?” he asked.

He also urged Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran to speak to Socso over the matter.