At first it was encouraging to learn that drivers of commercial vehicles will soon be subjected to a comprehensive medical check-up and certified fit before their driving licences are renewed. These will include testing for drugs, alcoholism, cardiovascular and mental illnesses. This opinion of mine changed on realising the unhealthy developments that were taking place behind the medical screening scheme that is being implemented in a haste.
The scheme, called e-Kesihatan, if implemented properly, the scheme would definitely go a long way towards improving the safety of public transport all over the country. The onus is on the Road Transport Department (RTD) to ensure this medical screening scheme is implemented effectively.
It is, however, unfortunate that this project to improve the safety of our public transportation has been turned into a money-spinning one. The introduction of the middleman agency, Supremme Systems Sdn Bhd is unnecessary and a waste of money. What credentials does this company have to indulge in medical procedures that can only be carried out by qualified registered medical practitioners?
Why can't the RTD make arrangements with the government hospitals to screen drivers for illnesses? In fact, the government hospitals are better equipped in every way to provide the service. If at all it needs the service of private clinics, why can't they deal directly with the Malaysian Medical Association to make the arrangements?
Why should a third party be engaged and be paid 41% of the cost of each examination? It is ridiculous that the middleman is paid more than the doctor who is responsible for carrying out the medical check-up. More distressing is that the cost of such examinations have gone up from RM50 to RM85, an additional burden on the drivers.
The RTD, a civil service department, is entrusted to safeguard the interest of the people by ensuring they enjoy a reasonably accepted level of safety for their public transportation. Why should that job be transferred to a third party, a private company in the form of Supremme System which will in no way be accountable to the rakyat? Is the RTD trying to abdicate its responsibility to the people who are paying them?
We are told that hundreds of panel clinics nationwide had been appointed under this programme to carry out the screening. There have been reservations expressed on the integrity of the clinics that are selected to do this important task. The RTD should bear this in mind and take great pains to select only those clinics with a good track record to be granted these contracts. Merit alone should be only criteria in considering the appointment of these panel clinics. Favouritism in any form will be a sure cause of the programme's failure.
Clinics must be responsible and ensure a high degree of competence and professionalism in conducting the medical examination. Medical laboratories undertaking to collect urine and blood samples should follow strict protocol to ensure accuracy and reliability of the tests conducted. Probably they should be done under the supervision of RTD officers to minimise the risk of cheating.
It is reported that about 500,000 licences will be involved in this scheme. With each paying RM85, it would amount to RM42.5 million per year. This is a very large sum of money which calls for very stringent control. Strict adherence to rules and regulations must be enforced at every stage and at all times. Anyone flouting the rules must be made to face the music regardless of his status or political alignment.
The RTD should be embarrassed for the Bukit Gantang tragedy and the high number of similar accidents throughout the country. It should be embarrassed for allowing buses that are not roadworthy and unfit drivers to ply our highways. Instead of learning a lesson from the recent tragedy and resolving to serve the rakyat better, the RTD has used it to embark on another business venture with a corporate body.
It is time the government departments take seriously the rights and welfare of the people at large. It is their duty to protect and safeguard our rights at all times. It would be morally wrong for them to run away from their responsibility to the 'rakyat' by passing on their duties and responsibilities to private companies whose primary motive is to profit.
