The diseases that the authorities are most concerned about include tuberculosis (TB), malaria, HIV/Aids and hepatitis.
“If foreign workers are found to be infected with HIV/Aids, syphilis and hepatitis, they will be deported to their country of origin,” assistant minister of public health Jerip Susil told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He added that foreign workers with malaria and TB would be segregated and treated locally.
According to Jerip, Sarawak has experienced a rise in such cases especially among foreigners employed illegally.
He reckoned most were in plantations, construction, factories or working as housemaids.
Jerip was commenting on a news report that the health ministry was pushing for annual screening, previously mandatory, to be reinstated.
“We have to be on high alert as the cases of both malaria and TB have been on the rise.
“So, we need the cooperation of everyone to ensure the diseases are contained and controlled,” Jerip was quoted as saying by the Sarawak-based daily.
He urged employers to send their foreign workers for health screening every year.
Jerip also noted that in the case of foreign workers employed by plantations, the owners set up facilities to provide healthcare for them.
“They also provide basic healthcare services to the local community. This can be seen as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR),” the Borneo Post quoted Jerip as saying.
He also proposed a multi-agency approach in tackling deadly infectious diseases.
Jerip said there was a need for concerted efforts by all relevant agencies such as the health department, immigration, police, Rela, assemblypersons and the village development and security committees (JKKKs).
“They can assist the government in tackling this menace. Everyone must be involved to prevent these deadly infectious diseases from getting out of control,” Jerip said.
According to an earlier news report, the health ministry revealed that 3% of foreign workers may be medically unfit.
Foreign workers, at present, were required to be medically screened first in their home countries and three times over three years in Malaysia.
The first check-up in Malaysia was compulsory and had to be completed within a month after arrival.
Foreign workers also need a second compulsory medical screening before their work permits can be renewed.