Fomema stepping up clinic audits, biometric checks
KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Workers Medical Examination Monitoring Agency (Fomema) says it is aware of syndicates helping unfit workers bypass medical checks.
"We take these matters very seriously," said Fomema chief executive officer Dr Afiq Farhan Md Hanif.
He said such cases were either detected through Fomema's internal systems or reported via credible feedback from the public or employers.
Impersonation and the use of falsified documents, such as fake passports, he said, undermined the integrity of the foreign worker medical examination process and compromised public health safeguards.
Fomema, he added, worked closely with enforcement authorities to facilitate investigations into fraudulent practices.
"We maintain regular engagement with panel service providers to enforce strict identity verification procedures during the medical examination process.
"In cases where a suspicious identity is detected, we immediately work with the clinic to verify the information and escalate the matter to the authorities."
If a suspected false identity is reported, Fomema will block the medical submission.
"We will notify the Immigration Department and the individual will be required to complete an online identity verification process. Fomema has a dedicated platform for this," Dr Afiq said.
If the identity is confirmed to be false, the individual will be disqualified from the medical examination and must repeat the screening at a different designated clinic, under stricter scrutiny.
"In such cases, Fomema may escalate the matter to enforcement authorities for further action."
This close cooperation, he said, helps ensure that irregularities are swiftly addressed.
Checks and Balances
Dr Afiq said Fomema's internal data management and verification systems played a vital role in maintaining the integrity of medical examinations.
"All submitted medical examination results are reviewed and verified by our trained in-house medical officers, who are alert to inconsistencies in the submitted data.
"Suspicious findings, including irregular test results or potential identity mismatches, are flagged for further investigation."
He said this process serves as a critical safeguard against malpractice and reinforces Fomema's commitment to a secure and reliable screening process.
Fomema also has a dedicated team that conducts ground inspections to ensure panel clinics adhere to standard operating procedures (SOP).
Clinics found to have violated SOPs will be investigated, potentially leading to the suspension or revocation of their panel status.
"We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of accuracy, accountability, and public trust," said Dr Afiq.
Strengthening Processes
Dr Afiq said Fomema is actively strengthening its processes to ensure the correct person undergoes the medical examination.
"Some of the key measures implemented include cross-checking data via Fomema's online portal with Immigration Department records to prevent registration using falsified documents."
All panel clinicians are also required to verify the identity of each foreign worker by inspecting their original passport.
Fomema, he added, also works closely with the Immigration Department to integrate biometric fingerprint verification at clinics.
"This is to further verify the identity of the foreign worker, ensuring that the individual at the clinic is indeed the genuine passport holder."
He said Fomema actively engages with panel clinics and other partners to raise awareness of cases involving falsified identities.
"While Fomema is not the authority responsible for verifying passport authenticity, we take a proactive approach by sharing real cases detected through our systems or reported by the public and employers.
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New Straits Times
26-05-2025
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Expert: Fomema gaps let syndicates slip through
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The Star
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Unlicenced doctor among six foreigners nabbed in Klang Valley Immigration raids
KUALA LUMPUR: Six foreigners, including an unlicensed doctor from Pakistan, were detained in raids on clinics run by illegal foreigners in Sungai Buloh, Shah Alam and Jalan Ipoh. Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the raids were conducted on Monday (May 19) after two weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance. "We arrested the male Pakistani doctor along with three female Myanmar nationals and two other women from Pakistan and India, aged between 23 and 57. "The Pakistani doctor had overstayed. One of the Myanmar nationals had a temporary work permit for foreign workers (PLKS) pass, while another was a holder of a UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) card. The remaining foreigners did not have any travel documents or valid passes," he said in a statement on Wednesday. Several items were seized, including a log book of patients, a clinic stamp, three foreign passports, mobile phones and uniforms of medical practitioners, he said. "We believe a few of the other foreigners were working as medical assistants or nurses," he added. Syndicate offered medical services, especially to foreigners, at low prices, Zakaria said. "The unlicensed doctor would perform medical checkups only at night. "We believe they had been operating for about a year," he said. Each patient is charged about RM90 and payment for the illegal services could only be made online, he added. "All those detained were brought to the KLIA Immigration depot for further action. "We also issued notices to a Malaysian man and a Filipino woman to come to the Immigration office to assist with the investigation," he said. Zakaria said the department will continue to take stern action against anyone who violates Immigration laws and regulations.
