BUKIT MERTAJAM, Feb 8 — Beginning this year, all Social Security Organisation (Socso) contributors no longer have to pay for medical treatment at panel clinics for work-related accidents and occupational diseases, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.
He said there are 1,400 Perkeso panel clinics nationwide, with 129 of them in Penang.
"You (contributors) can walk into any of the 1,400 Socso panel clinics in Malaysia and get free medical treatment… no need to pay anything.
"Previously, they had to pay about RM150 to RM200 for each treatment, then claim back from Socso. After a month, we will pay them back.
"But this year, you can walk into our clinic, show your identification card for them to check, if you are a Socso member, you do not have to pay a single cent,” Sim said as he announced the initiative in his speech at the Human Resources Ministry's (MOHR) Chinese New Year celebration yesterday.
Also present at the event were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, MOHR secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, and Socso board chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.
The minister added that the move is to facilitate workers, especially the low-income earners, to get treatment at panel clinics.
Socso recorded claims totalling RM8 million last year, involving 20,000 visits to the panel clinics.
On Tuesday (February 4), Human Resources Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said 66,574 work-related accident cases were recorded nationwide throughout 2024, a decrease of 2.4 per cent compared to 68,220 cases in 2023.
Meanwhile, at the event, Sim also handed over various Socso benefit claims to 10 recipients worth a total of RM145,972.86.
The benefits presented included the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme, Housewives’ Social Security Scheme, Employment Insurance System, Permanent Disability, Temporary Disability, and Survivors' Pension.
— Bernama
