Ensure No Red Tape In Socso S Free Medical Plan Govt Told

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Under a new policy announced yesterday, social security contributors can just walk in to any Socso panel clinic to receive treatment.
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress has urged the government to ensure there is no red tape when workers seek free medical treatment at Social Security Organisation panel clinics under a new policy on work-related accidents and occupational diseases.
“Every employee who is eligible must have easy access to medical treatment without going through cumbersome procedures,” the labour federation said in a statement.
MTUC hailed the policy as a progressive step in enhancing the social security of workers in Malaysia, on par with developed countries.
However, the government must ensure that Socso panel clinics, public hospitals and the related agencies understand the policy’s guidelines, MTUC said in a statement issued by Effendy Abdul Ghani, whose position as MTUC president is in dispute.
The policy was announced by human resources minister Steven Sim at a Socso dinner in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, to mark Chinese New Year. He said contributors to Socso no longer need to pay for medical treatment at any of the 1,400 Socso panel clinics across the country to receive free treatment.
Previously, contributors had to pay about RM150 to RM200 for each treatment, then claim the sum from Socso.
Sim said those covered under Socso can just walk into any panel clinic and get free medical treatment. ‘They don’t have to pay a single sen. Just walk in and show your MyKad and if the clinic verifies you are covered by Socso, then you don’t have to pay. We (government) will pay directly to the clinics,” he was quoted as saying.
Effendy said employers should not take advantage of the new policy, by disregarding the occupational safety and health of its workers.
“Preventive measures must still be given priority to reduce risk of accidents at work. Employers must provide a safe working environment, via conducting safety exercises and provide sufficient insurance coverage,” the MTUC statement said.
The Malaysian Employers Federation said the new policy would also benefit employers by ensuring that employees receive timely medical care. “This may reduce absenteeism and improve productivity in the long run,” said MEF president Syed Hussain Syed Husman. - FMT

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