KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — The Social Security Organisation (Socso) is paying out nearly US$100 million (RM421 million) a year for sugar-related diseases such as diabetes, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said today.
He said the high cost shows why Socso is expanding its role beyond workplace accidents to focus on preventive health, The Star reported.
“We also do free medical checks to ensure our workers are happy. A low sugar campaign was also launched recently to deal with diabetes,” he was quoted as saying during the World Social Security Forum here.
“Sugar and diabetes are costing Perkeso almost US$100 million a year in payouts and other benefits,” he added, calling Socso by its Malay abbreviation.
“We want to reduce incidents of accidents, disasters or occupational hazards even before they happen.”
Sim also said he plans to table a new Bill to provide round-the-clock protection for Malaysian workers, bridging the gap between those with private insurance and those without.
