Employers and health experts in Malaysia are calling for more stringent health checks on domestic maids from source countries to address the rising number of tuberculosis (TB) cases within the country. They argue that thorough pre-departure screenings are necessary to ensure domestic helpers are free from communicable diseases and other medical conditions, such as heart problems, before working in local households.
One critical aspect of these health checks is the assessment of mental health. Employers emphasize the importance of source countries conducting comprehensive evaluations to prevent situations where employers are burdened with managing domestic helpers suffering from mental health issues. Some employers have shared their shock upon discovering mental health issues in maids they've employed for several years, highlighting the necessity of addressing these issues before they arrive in Malaysia.
Last year alone, Malaysia recorded 26,781 TB cases, representing a 5.47% increase from the previous year. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad noted that some cases involved foreigners who entered the country illegally. It underscores the urgency of implementing robust pre-departure health checks to mitigate the risk of importing diseases.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) supports the call for more stringent health checks. It acknowledges the challenge of addressing the health conditions of illegal or undocumented migrants, whose medical histories are often unknown. To address this, Prof Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh suggests quarantining foreign workers while awaiting screening results, minimizing potential disease transmission.
Public health expert Datuk Dr. Zainal Ariffin Omar emphasizes the importance of monitoring the quality of screenings conducted by local and foreign health providers. Additionally, he recommends that local employers send their domestic helpers for additional screenings to ensure their ongoing health and well-being.
The Health Ministry is prepared to recommend more stringent medical examinations for domestic maids in their source countries if necessary. The ministry has already tightened the Fomema health screening format, introducing additional tests for hepatitis C, filariasis, and methamphetamine use since December 2023. These measures ensure that foreign workers entering Malaysia are healthy and free from infectious diseases.
Fomema, the agency responsible for foreign worker health screenings, now mandates annual screenings for all foreign workers in Malaysia, tightening its previous requirement for screenings every other year. These screenings encompass Category One and Two medical assessments, identifying individuals unsuitable for employment in Malaysia based on various health criteria.
However, despite these measures, there's recognition that more can be done to improve the quality and effectiveness of health screenings for foreign domestic workers. Collaborative efforts between source countries, Malaysian authorities, and healthcare providers are essential to enhance the screening process and minimize health risks associated with foreign worker recruitment.
Currently, the Immigration Department permits the recruitment of foreign domestic maids aged between 21 and 45 from specific countries, emphasizing the importance of aligning recruitment policies with health screening standards to safeguard the well-being of both workers and employers.
Source: TheStar
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