KUALA LUMPUR: The government has introduced a new affordable RM30 health checkup for Malaysia's commercial drivers above the age of 40 with the launch of the new Pemandu Sihat dan Selamat (PSS) programme.
Under PSS, Malaysian commercial drivers aged between 40 and 59 years old will now only have to pay RM30 to get their comprehensive medical checkups at 500 panel clinics nationwide.
However, this only applies to drivers holding either a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Class E (Bus) or Goods Driving Licence (GDL) Class E (Rigid/Articulated) licence.
Eligible drivers must also be active Social Security Organisation's (PERKESO) contributors for the programme, which is jointly implemented by the Human Resources Ministry, Transport Ministry, Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), and the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said PSS will benefit around 30,000 eligible drivers across the country, providing a RM55 subsidy for these drivers when going for a health checkup at any of the 500 panel clinics.
“Instead of waiting for an accident to happen, PSS is meant to encourage these high-risk drivers to identify health risk factors early so they can obtain appropriate advice and treatment.
“Road safety begins before the vehicle engine is even started, so through PSS we can ensure only drivers who are truly healthy and fit are on the road,” he said in his speech at the launch of PSS on Tuesday (June 30).
Loke added that PSS will also digitalise the health records of eligible drivers through direct integration with JPJ’s MySikap system.
“When drivers go for their medical checkup under PSS, the panel clinic conducting the checkup will assess the report and directly submit it to the MySikap system.
“As such these drivers will no longer need to provide a physical copy of their medical report to renew their PSV or GDL licences, making it easier for them,” he said.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said drivers going through PSS’s health screening will be assessed by physical examinations, vision and hearing tests.
This includes assessments of their cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal systems, as well as HbA1c tests for drivers with a history of diabetes.
Drivers will also be screened for any sleep disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), which could put them at risk while driving.
“Studies have shown that accidents are not caused solely by technical failures or road conditions alone but also health factors such as fatigue, sleep disorders, and high blood pressure which reduces a driver’s alertness.
“That is why PSS is meant to encourage drivers to have medical examinations, not to make their lives difficult but to help them detect health problems and get treatment early,” he said in his speech at the same PSS launch event on Tuesday.
To this, Ramanan called on employers in the transport industry to encourage their workers to take advantage of PSS.
He added there are plans to increase the number of participating panel clinics nationwide to over 3,000 in the future, making it easier for drivers to get their medical checkups wherever they are.
Interested drivers can check their eligibility for PSS as well as a list of participating panel clinics at PERKESO’s website: https://www.perkeso.gov.my/
