I refer to the Malaysiakini report Caretaker gov't to revive contentious e-Kesihatan quietly?

CAP views with concern the attempt to revive the proposed new medical check-up system for commercial vehicle drivers known as e-Kesihatan, which was already shelved in October last year.

When this system was first proposed, it was supposed to involve making use of the services of a ‘gateway provider’, Supremme System Sdn Bhd and drivers would have to pay RM80 for the medical test when renewing or applying for their licenses. Under this system, doctors would have to register first if they wish to be on the panel to conduct these medical check-ups.

The Health Director-General who is also Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) President, Ismail Merican had expressed reservations about this scheme at that time together with heads of other doctor organisations.

CAP renews its previous call on the government and the Road Transport Department to review its approach in handling medical check-ups for drivers. For one, is there really a need for a ‘middleman’ to handle a medical check-up system, with its accompanying additional costs and procedures?

The Road Transport Department (RTD) authorities could instead liaise directly with doctors and the transport companies or the drivers themselves for a check-up scheme that costs much less.

An arrangement could be made with the Health Ministry for commercial vehicle drivers to be examined by government doctors at special units set up within government hospitals. The payments for these medical check-ups could then be made directly to the government.

If the services of private doctors are needed, CAP urges the authorities to consider the recommendation by the secretary-general of the Transport Workers Union that medical checks be conducted at specially-designated areas within RTD premises itself. The RTD authorities could engage the services of private doctors for this service, and there would be no need for any middlemen.

Computer records could be directly managed by the RTD. The money that would have gone to a gateway provider could instead be used to recruit more staff who are IT-proficient and capable of managing an RTD database on drivers’ medical history.

These measures would lessen the potential for abuse and ensure that RTD authorities have more control over what goes on.

The writer, is president Consumers Association of Penang.