Socso to screen according to Health Ministry guidelines

Socso chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed

PETALING JAYA: Health screenings for employees returning to work would be conducted by the Social Security Organisation (Socso), following strict guidelines by the Health Ministry.

Socso chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said their panel clinics would follow closely to the guidelines set by the Health Ministry in conducting the screenings.

“The advice and decision on using the rapid test kits will come from the Health Ministry, ” he said.

Asked about concerns that Socso would be footing the screening costs, Dr Azman said this is a measure to protect workers’ health and safety during this crisis.

“This is a national issue, it is unprecedented. We have the Covid-19 virus, and we just want to ensure that the workers are safe and healthy as that is paramount, ” he added.

The MTUC had raised concerns that Socso would be bearing the cost of the health screenings for workers.

Its president Datuk Abdul Halim Mansor said the workers’ union was “disappointed” as the funds were meant for the social protection of employees against invalidity, occupational injuries and death.

On Friday, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said workers from companies that are allowed to operate during the movement control order must undergo health screening at any of the 3,000 Socso panel clinics nationwide before they get back to work.

This is to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, he said.

“We want to make sure that those going back to work during the third phase of the MCO are healthy, ” he added.