Health check-up syndicate being revived with govt backing: NEMO

KATHMANDU: The government has been accused of concealing emails from Malaysian authorities requesting a list of approved medical centres for health check-ups of workers seeking foreign employment.

The Nepal Medical Organization (NEMO) has alleged that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security repeatedly ignored Malaysian officials’ request to foster a syndicate in the health check-up of youths heading to Malaysia for employment.

Krishna Prasad Bajgai, general secretary of NEMO, claimed that he was aware of four emails sent to the two ministries by Malaysian authorities on April 13, July 24, October 5, and December 27 last year. He accused the ministries of deliberately suppressing these communications. “The emails from Malaysia were deliberately kept secret. Both ministries repeatedly denied receiving any correspondence from Malaysia. This clearly indicates that ministers and senior officials are trying to protect a syndicate in foreign employment in Malaysia,” he said.

Bajgain added that Malaysia has decided to introduce new criteria while continuing to use the old list of 36 medical centres for worker health examinations.

NEMO further alleged that Malaysia was not informed about the 122 medical centres approved under the 2019 labour MoU between Nepal and Malaysia. “Although the labour minister and secretary assured that the full list of medical centres would be communicated, this has yet to happen,” Bajgai said.

With Malaysia issuing new health standards for new employees in its security guard and service sectors, recruitment agencies are reportedly pressuring workers to undergo health examinations only at medical centres linked to the syndicate.

Labour Ministry spokesperson Danduraj Ghimire claimed he was unaware of the emails from Malaysian authorities. “I will be able to respond only after consulting the relevant officials,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nepal Health Professionals Federation has announced that all registered medical centers are free to conduct health check-ups for workers heading to Malaysia. It accused the government of favouring a select group of businesses.