Fomema has had the concession for the medical examination and screening of all foreign workers in Malaysia since 1998. Since then, the scope and complexity of the examination needed has been greatly expanded, resulting in an increased workload per patient for the doctors. The doctors have been carrying out all these additional tests and examinations without any additional payments over the years.

This concession is going to be renewed on June 15, 2016 with no review of the terms of service including fees for the medical examination of foreign workers.

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) urges the government to review the Fomema concession after a comprehensive discussion with the stakeholders concerned. We have even written a memorandum signed by four major medical associations to all the cabinet ministers including the prime minister, but we have yet to get a reply.

On May 15, 2016, the Malaysian Medical Association with three other organisations namely the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Association, Medical Practitioners Association of Malaysia and Pertubuhan Doktor-doktor Islam Malaysia (Perdim) had urged a consultation with Unit Kerjasama Awam Swasta (Ukas) to discuss the renewal of this concession.

So far no reply has been forthcoming from Ukas.

This press statement is to highlight the risk to public health that may arise if the concession agreement is concluded without proper consultation with the front-line providers of this service.

We therefore ask for the concession on foreign workers’ medical examinations to be reviewed.

The Malaysian Medical Association would like to make an appeal to the right honourable prime minister to look into this matter.

DR JOHN CHEW CHEE MING is president, Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).