#fomema

[my-asianewstoday-blog]

JIM uncovers syndicate that modified passports for FOMEMA purposes http://dlvr.it/TQyDKV

[therakyatpost]

New Post has been published on The Rakyat Post

New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/05/09/fomema-making-killing-expense-doctors-taxpayers/

'Fomema making a killing at expense of doctors, taxpayers'

By Yiswaree.P.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9:

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the government to stop the monopoly by the Foreign Workers Medical Examination Monitoring Agency (Fomema) in overseeing health screening procedures for foreign workers.

MMA president Datuk Dr N.K.S. Tharmaseelan, in a statement yesterday, lamented that the concessionaire,  appointed by the Health Ministry, had been making a fortune at the expense of doctors and taxpayers.

“There has also been no increment in the check-up payments made to doctors, since Fomema was appointed.

“It is only their (Fomema) pocket that is getting heavier,” Dr Tharmaseelan added.

“Fomema has only paid doctors RM60 for each medical examination and RM25 for X-ray scanning since its inception 14 years ago.

“When doctors ask for an increase in the payment, the panel then shifts the blame to the government, saying that the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) did not agree to the hike, while the EPU says otherwise.”

Dr Tharmaseelan said that doctors now had to also do a more comprehensive medical examination, which includes a newly introduced psychiatric assessment on the foreign workers, but the consultation fees still remained the same.

He said that Fomema had also at times removed doctors from the panel without assigning any reasons for such action.

In addition, he said, some foreign workers were also forced to get their X-ray scans or other examinations at only certain clinics.

“The X-ray scans have been made use of by Fomema to ‘extract’ more money from doctors without spending anything itself.”

Dr Tharmaseelan said that while Fomema only paid RM25 for an X-ray scan done, the doctors were forced to spend way beyond that for the equipment needed.

“Then there is the issue of digitalisation of the X-rays.

“While the Health Ministry deems it unnecessary, Fomema demands otherwise. They make it difficult for those who insist on continuing with the existing mode of sending X-rays via courier services.”

Dr Tharmaseelan said that Fomema lamented that the X-rays often went missing and advised doctors to “go digital” and pay a transmission fee of RM4 per transmission.

“This means that they earn RM4 million for a million X-rays in a year, effortlessly.”

He also questioned another monopoly by an unnamed company, for the digital X-ray machine and software, though the equipment could be bought at a much lower price elsewhere.

He said that doctors were also coerced into purchasing only that particular machine if they wished to remain on the panel.

“MMA is not against the digitalisation of X-rays, but if the fees paid to doctors is not increased, it will be a loss for the doctors.”

Dr Tharmaseelan said that third parties were now also involved in assisting doctors to get onto the Fomema panel for a fee.

“To cough a little additional money from their massive coffers does not need the approval from the government, which Fomema is blaming.

“If they are not able to increase the payment, we hope the government will open up the examination to other willing parties.

“A monopoly sets unhealthy trends in any field, including lack of transparency and  accountability which will lead to corruption.”