Workers in the private sector may be required to undergo periodic health screening upon reaching age 40, said Deputy Human Resources Minister Maznah Mazlan.

She said the matter was being studied by the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to detect health problems and diseases at the early stage among workers.

“The total number of health problem cases recorded under Socso is increasing each year, that is for last year alone, Socso paid out nearly RM1.8 billion in compensation and benefits to its members and contributors.

“The total is increasing each year, from RM1.3 billion in 2009 to RM1.6 billion in 2010. Payments cover cost of medication and treatment which involves diseases and accidents,” she said after visiting the Mawar Haemodialysis Centre (MHC) and the presentation of a dialysis machine to the MHC branch in Kuala Pilah and Bahau today.

NONE According to Maznah ( left ), should a health problem or disease be detected early, it was not only good for the workers involved, it would also ease the burden of Socso from paying high compensation.

“Detecting a disease early will reduce the risk to the worker compared with diagnosing the disease at a late stage or chronic stage,” she said.  

In this regard, Maznah said Socso had spent RM92.5 million in 2011 to pay for dialysis treatment to members who had subscribed to the organisation.

The total had increased almost 19 percent compared with RM77.2 million spent in 2010 for the same purpose.

“As at June this year, Socso has spent RM43.5 million to pay for such treatment cost and at the moment, Socso has appointed 366 dialysis treatment centres nationwide,” she said.

- Bernama