Rehab Programme For Workers With Back, Cervical Pain

Bernama.com
Malaysian National News Agency

Rehab Programme For Workers With Back, Cervical Pain Launched
General
February 28, 2005 15:45 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- The Social Security Organisation (Socso) Monday launched a rehabilitation programme for workers who lose their ability to work as a result of severe spine and cervical injuries.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn said the programme would be undertaken in collaboration with Finland-based DBC Back to Health (M) Sdn Bhd which had the expertise to treat back and cervical pain.

The company currently operates a treatment centre here and in Ipoh.

Under the programme, Socso would pay for the workers' treatment until they are able to return to work, he told reporters after launching the "Return to Work" programme here.

Dr Fong said the programme was crucial to enable workers to get another chance to work.

From over 9,000 workers, who were permanently disabled in 2003, between 2,000 and 3,000 of them suffered from back and cervical pain, he said.

Socso also planned to expand the rehabilitation programme to cover workers who had lost their fingers and hands, he added.

-- BERNAMA

Now this is great, having Socso taking so much interest in those who have been permanently disabled because of back and cervical spine problems. But 20-30% of those permanently disabled having should problems seem to be a rather high figure. Socso will probably have to take a closer look at them.
Socso should also provide better care and rehab for those who have had loss of bodily parts while on the job. Ensuring that they receive suitable prostheses to unable them to be once again gainfully employed would be helpful.
Having beeen in existence for so many years and having accumulated lots of funds, maybe it is time for Socso to consider having its own treatment facilities with specialists to detail with injuries suffered by tthe workforce.