Datuk Seri Richard Riot
KUCHING: Only 450,000 out of 2.1 million Social Security Organisation (Socso) members entitled for free medical check-up have utilised the benefit in the country.
Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said they were disappointed by the very poor response from members.
“Socso has distributed 2.1 million vouchers to members who are entitled for the free full health screening, but only 450,000 members have visited the Socso panel clinics or government clinics/hospitals to carry out their health screenings.
“It is saddening to know that the response is very poor… we do know what is the reason behind. Perhaps they are afraid to go for the screenings,” he told a press conference after presenting Socso benefits to 35 members and beneficiaries in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration yesterday.
Socso chief executive Datuk Dr Mohammed Azman Datuk Aziz Mohammed was among those present.
Riot said the scheme was introduced five years ago to provide full health screening for members who were above 40 years old.
According to statistics given to the press, a total of 23,601 vouchers for standard screening were distributed to eligible Socso members in the state last year, but only 2,250 of the vouchers were used.
And a total of 14,494 vouchers for mammogram screening were distributed to eligible members but only 1,904 vouchers were used.
The statistics also showed that 156 panel clinics, 27 panel lab centres and Mammogram panel centres were registered with Socso Sarawak last year.
Riot urged Socso members who are entitled for the free medical check-up to visit any of the panel clinics to get their free health screening.