Workers facing problems in getting free Socso Covid-19 tests

CORONAVIRUS | BP Healthcare Group, the only authorised healthcare provider authorised by the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to provide free Covid-19 tests for its members, drew criticism from Malaysians unable to secure appointments for testing either themselves or their foreign workers.

The healthcare operator is facing criticisms over its appointment system, delay in providing test results and the manner in which the testing was done.

Taking to Facebook since yesterday afternoon, several netizens said they were unable to do so as all the slots were fully booked.

Netizen Puviniya Nair posted: "Unable to book any of the slots for Kuala Lumpur and Selangor as it shows slots are closed."

This came after BP Healthcare announced yesterday morning that it ceased walk-in services and all appointments must be made online.

"Due to the overwhelming Covid testing demands at our BP outlets nationwide, Socso instructed us on May 6 to change our current 'First-Come-First-Serve' service policy to 'strictly by online appointment only' with immediate effect," it said.

Prior to BP Healthcare's announcement, workers shared images and videos of long queues at its outlets.

On April 16, International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said that all workers of companies allowed to operate during the movement control order (MCO) must be screened for Covid-19.

The problem escalated when the government reopened the economy under conditional MCO which allowed more industries to resume operations.

Socso offered free tests via the Prihatin Screening Programme (PSP) beginning April 27. Only Malaysian and documented migrant workers registered under Socso are entitled to a free Covid test.

At least 298,000 employees registered under PSP for the free test with 44,500 having undergone the test.

Netizens also complained about the errors in the online booking process where Fiee Aidriel questioned: "My appointment at 12am [...] Is it true that (BP is still) open then?"

A Muslim netizen was unhappy that he was given a slot at 8pm when he needs to break his fast.

"(My) appointment is at 8pm at Glenmarie. Do you know it is (now) Ramadan? I have to break my fast. I tried to call your lab, and it says the number is busy now. I call again (but) when it passes through no one answers," said netizen Tg Mohd Khairul Annuar.

Others such as 39-year-old engineers Najib Yusof did not face any issues and for them, the entire process went smoothly.

"So far, I have no problem at all. Everything is in order," he told Malaysiakini.

A check by Malaysiakini at BP's Glenmarie outlet found that more than 150 people, despite securing bookings, were still required to queue up outside the main gate for their turn.

It is learnt that the lab at Glenmarie has the capacity to complete 1,000 Covid tests daily.

Appointments cancelled

Meanwhile, some have complained that a shortage of equipment has resulted in results being delayed or appointments being cancelled.

Chong, a sub-contractor said company's management managed to secure an appointment for all six migrant workers but his results were delayed for two weeks.

"As for myself, I went for the Covid test on Tuesday at the Chow Kit outlet. At first, I was told that the results would be released in three days, now (BP) extended that to two weeks," he said, adding that Socso pledged that workers would receive their test 48 hours from the time their test samples were taken.

"My colleagues need to wait for their results as well. It is the headache for our management now as they don't know how soon we can start work.

"My colleague was not able to get his test conducted at the Rawang outlet despite securing a booking as the lab could only manage 70 tests due to shortage of equipment. What is the point of booking online then?" asked Chong.

Chong's grouse was shared by Liew, a 56-year-old construction worker whose company needed to meet the deadline for a housing project at Sungai Buloh.

"Our company has over 40 staff, and we managed to secure appointments for today and tomorrow. But, I received a message this morning that these appointments were cancelled as the lab is running out of testing kits," said Liew, who came to the Kepong lab to follow up the matter.

"I was told to again make our appointment via the online system.

"Currently, our salaries are cut in half, and our staff are divided into two shifts, and we work only three days per week," he said, adding that it would be a burden for his company to fork out its own money to get the tests done at private laboratories.

The Klang outlet also put up a notice informing the public about the shortage of testing kits.

Tests carried out on the public walkway

A check by Malaysiakini at the Klang outlet discovered individuals with appointments had begun queuing up at the premises since 12am, eight hours before the outlet opened.

"I came at 12am, and I was given the number 56. There were people who came earlier than me," said a Bangladesh worker on condition of anonymity.

At BP Healthcare's Kepong outlet in Taman Usahawan, the tests were carried outside the premises along the common walkway where laboratory personnel clad in personal protection equipment took swab tests.

However, the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) barred BP Healthcare's Subang outlet from operating in a similar manner following complaints from the public.

When contacted, DAP Subang Jaya councillor Chia Yew Ken said MPSJ barred BP from taking swabs along the common walkway after receiving complaints from the locals.

According to him, the sight of having the lab officials in PPE conducting Covid tests was a cause of concern for the locals.

"The test should be carried out inside the premise instead of the public walkway with social distancing observed," he said.

The Subang lab had also put up a sign stating that: "No Prihatin Screening Programme (PSP) screening until further notice."

When contacted, a lab official told Malaysiakini that those who completed the test need to wait for one to two week for the results.

"(This is because we could not cope) as too many people came for testing. (There is also a problem) with the website where it is too slow for us to upload the results," said the staff.

The staff said the employers could go to other private labs which charge RM360 per test.

Another BP official, when approached on the ground, said his company would call for a press conference if it needs to address any media queries. - Mkini