Datu Dr Penguang Manggil
MIRI: Political leaders and social activists are caught by surprise by Socso’s decision to restrict the category of contributors eligible for dialysis, saying the needy group will be hardest hit.
Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Datu Dr Penguang Manggil said tightening the eligibility criteria would further deprive the poor and the needy, who formed the majority of our population.
He said Socso’s decision to impose new conditions would limit access to or deny many contributors from obtaining free dialysis treatment.
MTUC secretary-general J Solomon in a statement said the revised terms of eligibility would impact new contributors and beneficiaries registered under Socso’s Invalidity Pension, Employment Injury and Invalidity Grant schemes, who suffer from chronic kidney failure.
Karambir Singh
Under the revised conditions, eligibility for free dialysis is now tied to the applicants’ tenure and quantum of contribution (to Socso).
Penguang said cases of renal failures are increasing by the day, and the new eligibility criteria would impact those segments of the society with low income the most.
“We should not gamble with the lives of our citizens especially the lower income groups. It is the rights of every citizen of this country to have access to good medical and health facilities regardless of their social standing, racial and religious backgroud as enshrined in our Constitution,” he said.
Social activist and educationist Karambir Singh, who is also Miri City Caring Society deputy chairman, said Socso must stick to its primary function of payment of benefits to workers and/or their dependents when tragedy strikes, and provision of physical and vocational rehabilitation benefits.
Bruce Chai
Describing it as a worrying trend if the report is true, he said the decision would be contrary to its role of widening the eligibility and covering more people as chronic kidney disease is life-threatening, and it would be morally wrong of the decision makers to show such a disregard for the life of these people.
He called on the minister in-charge to re-look the decision as Socso contribution is a safety net insurance scheme for those in the private sector
and therefore they have a duty to take care of the contributors.
“Let’s hope our elected representatives also issue a strong protest against this negative policy,” he said.
Bruce Chai, PSB Pujut branch chairman, said it would be absurd for Socso, which is making millions inside and outside Malaysia through investments, for only thinking of making more money.
“What is the point of contributing to Socso if it is not contributing to member’ benefits.
“Socso should not be in the business of making money but in business of looking after the welfare of its contributors,“ he said.