PETALING JAYA: The Social Security Organisation (Socso) is targeting more than 2.2 million contributors aged 40 to 59 to take part in their health screening programme (HSP) this year.
HSP 3.0 which began on May 16 will be carried out until Dec 31 with improved health screening parameters and extensive screening tests to detect more risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD).
These include mental health screening, red blood composition test, diabetes screening through HbA1c test, cholesterol level test, liver and kidney function test, as well as blood cancer test.
For female employees, screening also includes breast and cervical cancers.
Deputy Human Resource Minister Mustapha Sakmud officially launched the programme at UEM Edgenta Learning Centre, here, which was attended by the UEM Edgenta staff.
Also present were Socso chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed and Edgenta Mediserve Sdn Bhd managing director Shaiful Subhan.
“According to Socso statistics last year, a total of 23,174 contributors experienced disability or died due to NCD.
“On average, 63 NCD-related cases are reported to Socso every day. As such, health screening and adopting a healthy lifestyle are key to healthier, fitter and more productive employees,” he said in his speech.
He added that HSP 2022 analysis found that 42% of workers have obesity problems, 14.1% have diabetes, 27.9% have high blood pressure and 61.2% have high cholesterol problems.
With that in mind, he said that health screenings could help individuals detect diseases at an early stage followed by controlling and avoiding serious complications involving high costs for treatments.
“I would like to urge all employees to take advantage of this HSP 3.0. Employers need to also play a role in giving awareness to employees to undergo health screening provided by the government for free,” he said.
Mohammed Azman said that employees were the main asset for any organisation in driving operations and business.
Therefore, the level of employee health is closely related to the company's productivity and profit, he said.
HSP 3.0 Programme or Post-Covid-19 Health Screening Program is carried out via the RM70 million grant under the 2023 Budget.
