(From left) SDP Upstream Malaysia business support chief Jeffry Faizal Kamaruddin, Roslin, Dr Mohammed Azman, PERKESO medical and rehabilitation division head Dr Azlan Darus and Health Ministry disease control and prevention division head Dr Rosnah Ramly at the launch of HSP 2.0.
THE Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) has launched its Health Screening Programme 2.0 (HSP 2.0), in collaboration with Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP), at the Sime Darby Plantation Academy in Carey Island, Selangor.
The free health screening programme for PERKESO contributors has been re-implemented since June 1, 2022, after a two-year hiatus, to pave the way and support the Government’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Through HSP 2.0, PERKESO has brought about several improvements including renewing health screening parameters, by introducing mental health screening and family health risk assessment to ensure that the programme remains conducive and relevant for employees. Based on PERKESO’s statistics, a total of 3.6 million workers are eligible for free health screening under the HSP and of that number, a total of 576,902 workers have undergone this health screening.
The launch ceremony was officiated by PERKESO chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.
“HSP 2.0 is open to PERKESO contributors between 30 to 39 years old and have a risk of non-communicable diseases (NCD).
The new criteria aims to extend health screening to employees of all ages, thus enabling more contributors to enjoy these incentives.
“The re-implementation of HSP is also in line with the National Health Screening Initiative, which will be launched by the Government through the Health Ministry, under the Healthy Malaysia National Agenda this month (July).
“This initiative aims to encourage more Malaysians, especially those at the age of 40 and above to undergo health screening,” he said.
In conjunction with the launch of HSP 2.0, PERKESO organised a field trip to the academy to carry out health screening for 150 SDP employees.
PERKESO also implemented basic health screening through its Mobile Health Screening and Injury Prevention Unit, which uses HSP buses to enable more employees in SDP to undergo health screening.
Also present at the launch was SDP Upstream Malaysia chief executive officer Roslin Azmy Hassan, who shared that SDP always emphasises the health, safety and welfare of employees and is proud and grateful to PERKESO for choosing the company to launch HSP 2.0.
“Sime Darby Plantation encourages our employees to conduct regular health screening, as this is very important to detect any health problems and get effective treatment earlier.
“Congratulations to PERKESO for launching an initiative that is so positive and relevant to the needs of today’s employees.
“We believe that HSP 2.0 will continue to be well received by the public and increase the awareness of caring for and monitoring one’s personal health,” he said.
Health screenings are important for the early detection and prevention of NCD.
It is also important to prevent the issue of disability and early death among employees.
Based on PERKESO statistics in 2021, a total of 16,906 PERKESO contributors were reported disabled or died due to NCD, with an average of 46 cases reported to PERKESO every day.
Therefore, it is important for all parties, especially employers, to support the cultivating of healthy lifestyle practices among their employees.
This includes encouraging employees to undergo regular health screening in order to remain healthy and productive.
With such cooperation, PERKESO and SDP hope that it can be a catalyst and motivate more employers to come forward to implement health screening for their employees for the common health and well-being.
