The Health Ministry was today asked to consider a special compensation scheme for dedicated healthcare workers who are treating suspected and probable Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) patients.

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), which made this request, added that the scheme should encompass staff screening people at various entry points in the country.

"In case of calamity or mishap, the government and Health Ministry should make way for adequate compensation to the staff concerned or their families," its president Dr N Athimulam was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

He said that there was greater fear that more medical staff may be quarantined or fall ill, after the incident at the Sentosa Mental Hospital in Sarawak, where 200 staff have been placed under quarantine.

"The Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore has adequately compensated the family of the Batu Pahat doctor who died after exposure to the Sars," he said.

Insure staff

Athimulam said currently, for those government doctors who are married, a pension is due to his or her spouse and children below the age of 18 years and a nominal compensation of not more than RM10,000 will be given to the families of a government doctor (single/married) if he or she dies at the time of service.

He added that MMA does not know the benefits for all other categories of medical staff in case of mishap.

Athimulam said private hospitals and sole private practitioners were also advised to adequately insure their staff in case of any illness or impending death due to Sars.

"Insurance companies should work out a special scheme and offer reasonable terms, but not exploit this situation which our country is facing," he said.

There have been two Sars-related deaths in the country while more than 800 people are under quarantined nationwide.