Poor response to subsidised health check scheme for commercial drivers - Loke
PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry’s subsidised health screening programme for commercial vehicle drivers has received a poor response, with fewer than 20 drivers participating within a month of its launch.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke expressed disappointment over the sluggish response to the subsidized health screening program for commercial vehicle drivers. Within a month of its launch on June 30, fewer than 20 drivers participated, despite the program being offered at a minimal cost of RM30, with an additional RM55 subsidy from the Social Security Organisation.
Loke highlighted the need to improve driver health and road safety, while also alleviating the financial burden of medical examinations. However, many drivers continued to prefer the traditional manual medical examination process, raising concerns about the ministry's ability to verify the effectiveness of the initiative in enhancing driver health.
The digitally integrated approach aimed to streamline the process and facilitate better monitoring. Loke emphasized that the program's launch alone was not enough; proper implementation and evaluation were crucial to achieving its intended outcomes. He stressed that driver health was a fundamental aspect of road safety, as undetected medical conditions could pose risks to not only drivers but also other road users.
The ministry would discuss this issue during its half-year strategic planning meeting scheduled for the following week.
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