Health Ministry does not fix rate for e-hailing drivers' medical checks

GOPENG, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry does not fix the medical examination fee rate for e-hailing drivers renewing their Public Transport Vehicle (PSV) licence.

Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said instead the ministry was only concerned that proper medical checks were conducted on the e-hailing drivers.

“In terms of charges  for the medical examination, the fee would be left to the market to decide,” he told reporters after officiating the Global Occupational Safety and Health Day celebration at the Rural Transformation Centre here, today.

Dr Lee was commenting on a Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) statement which had urged the ministry to investigate claims that doctors were providing medical examinations for e-hailing drivers at just RM20, which they deemed as ‘impossible’.

Its president, Dr N. Ganabaskaran said it was impossible for medical practitioners to conduct proper health checks at such a cost.

“We want to know what kind of medical examinations are offered at such a low price,” he said as reported in a recent English-language newspaper.

A circular had been issued by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to the ministry and MMA to fix a standard rate of RM80 for e-hailing drivers to do their medical examinations.

The Malaysia E-Hailing Drivers Association had claimed that some 135 panel clinics nationwide had agreed to a charge of RM20 per person for the medical examination.

--BERNAMA