Kathmandu, July 9

Stating that there were many anomalies while selecting the health check-up centres by the government for Malaysia-bound workers, dissatisfied medical entrepreneurs have filed a complaint at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), today.

Earlier, the government had selected 99 health check-up centres for migrants going to Malaysia. The list of selected health check-up centres within and outside the Valley was issued as per the decision taken by the ministry. Prior to this, migrants were receiving their health certificates from only 39 check-up centres that were authorised by the government of Malaysia.

“There has been gross negligence while selecting the health check-up centres. There has been favouritism while selecting the centres and many capable ones have been omitted from the list,” the complaint reads, adding that some centres have paid bribes to have their names selected for the purpose.

“The selection process needs to be revised and conducted again in a competitive manner, as there are many capable ones that have been left out while some not so competent centres have been included in the list,” one of the complainants said on condition of anonymity.

The dissatisfied entrepreneurs have also accused concerned government officials of selecting the 99 health checkup centres without proper research and making the checklist as per their wish. They have urged the government to conduct another round of inspection of selected centres and also ascertain whether they actually are equipped with the required medical equipment.

Meanwhile, Narayan Regmi, spokesperson for MoLESS, said that if the ministry does find out that there were discrepancies while selecting the centres then action would be taken against the offenders as per the law. “We have received numerous complaints regarding the selection process and if those complaints are true, then related officials will be penalised.”

The ministry, meanwhile, has not divulged the names of the complainants.

However, the selected 99 health check-up centres still need to receive authentication from the Malaysian government before being able to commence their service. These medical firms will have to wait for official authorisation from the Malaysian government before they can start different biometric tests for Malaysia-bound Nepali workers.