25-05-2025
Forum: Can we go paperless for domestic worker medical checks?
Forum: Can we go paperless for domestic worker medical checks?
I recently brought my domestic worker for her six-monthly medical examination (6ME), only to realise I had forgotten to print out the required physical form. The clinic charged me $1 to print it.
This may seem like a minor inconvenience and small cost, but it highlights a larger issue: In this age of digitalisation, sustainability and operational efficiency, why are we still relying on physical forms for such routine procedures?
Government services have made tremendous strides in going paperless – from Singpass and MyICA to digital driving licences and e-poll cards. Yet, for the 6ME, employers are still expected to download and print a hard-copy form to take to the clinic. This is not only environmentally unfriendly but also inefficient.
A digital solution would benefit everyone involved. Clinics should be able to retrieve the 6ME form electronically via the worker's FIN or employer's NRIC number. This reduces the chance of forgotten documents, eliminates unnecessary charges and streamlines the process for clinic staff.
It also reduces paper usage, a step in the right direction for sustainability.
Let's move towards smarter, greener and more efficient ways of doing things. Charging $1 for a forgotten printout may seem small, but it reflects an outdated system that needs a digital upgrade.
Martin Lee Ming Han
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