Press Statement
20th May 2014
Medical Certificate
Dear editor,
The recent statement by Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president
Datuk Dr N.K.S Tharmaseelam, undermines the integrity of Malaysian Medical
Profession by stating that employers has the right to question and decide the
validity of Medical Certificate and by
further asserting that MCs is a mere
recommendation. If a medical practitioner has acted beyond his duty and ethic,
than rightly that practitioner should be taken to task and not shift the burden
of deciding ones health to the hand and sole discretion of a lay person and in
this case, the employers
MMA has failed to consider the safety and health of every worker. There
are many workers constantly at risk of handling heavy machineries, faces risk
at constructing high rise building, and working in hazardous working
environment.If a worker continues working after taking heavy dose of
medication, it only places him/her at a greater risk to industrial accident
that may cause loss of limb or worst, life. MMA should suggest ways in which
Industrial accidents could be minimize but instead their suggestions escalate
these risks to safety and health of every worker in Malaysia.
Further, if a worker chooses to pursue to consult a doctor of his choice
or seeking second medical opinion pertaining to his/her health then that is
his/her ultimate right to decide. No one has the right to question his/ her
choices to medication and treatment.
A person health must never be bargain to profit and production. Safety
at workplace must always be the supreme consideration irrespective of profit
margin. MMA’s irrational and unreasonable statement has compromised the safety
and health of every worker. MTUC is very disappointed with the President of MMA’
statement and urges him to retract it.
(N. Gopal
Kishnam)
Secretary
General
019-3174717
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