Migrant workers to be subjected to regular health screening: Health Minister

SERDANG: The Cabinet has decided that migrant workers be subjected to health screening regularly, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.
He said they were required to undergo a mandatory health examination for tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, syphilis, HIV/Aids, malaria and epilepsy upon arrival in Malaysia.
"Only three to four per cent of the legal migrant workers escaped the screening. Up to 94% go through the procedure," he said to reporters after launching a campaign promoting the eating of fruits and vegetables at the Malaysian Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) here today.
The launch of the campaign, along with Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, was held in conjunction with the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture & Agrotourism 2016 (MAHA 2016) Exhibition.
"The challenge is with the illegal immigrants, which is a major problem in Sabah, and many of them have tuberculosis," said Dr Subramaniam. — Bernama