MOM refers to doctor’s assessment when processing claims for foreign workers’ medical treatment

• Lianhe Zaobao (13 July 2012) : MOM refers to doctor’s assessment when processing claims for foreign workers’ medical treatment
• Lianhe Zaobao (10 July 2012) : Injured foreign worker: Has gotten financial help to replace missing part of the skull

MOM refers to doctor’s assessment when processing claims for foreign workers’ medical treatment 
- Lianhe Zaobao, 13 July 2012

We refer to Zaobao’s article, “Injured foreign worker: Has gotten financial help to replace missing part of the skull” (10 July 2012) which featured Bangladeshi worker Mr Majibur Hakim.

2.   There were some inaccuracies in the article which we wish to clarify.

3.   First, it was inaccurate of the volunteer quoted in the story to say it was “the authorities in charge of Work Injury Compensation who felt the worker’s condition was stable and that the cranioplasty was cosmetic as it was not urgent”, and for the article to cite that cranioplasty is not covered under compensation. MOM administers the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA), which does not categorize medical treatments as necessary or otherwise. MOM processes claims for medical expenses based on a Singapore-registered doctor’s assessment of whether a medical treatment arising from a work injury is considered necessary. If the medical assessment deems treatment necessary, MOM will allow the work injury claim, subject to the dollar or time limits stipulated under the Act.

4.   WICA operates on a no-fault basis, seeking to strike a balance between fair compensation for work injuries and the obligations placed on employers and their insurers. Thus, there are absolute limits on all compensation claims made under WICA. Since 1 June 2012, the dollar limit for compensation benefits for medical expenses was raised to $30,000. This increased cap continues to fully cover the medical expenses of more than 95% of all WICA claims which require hospitalisation. Injured employees whose compensation claims exceed the limits under WICA may consider filing a claim under common law.

5.   Second, Mr Majibur’s employers more than met their obligations under WICA by bearing medical expenses arising from the accident, which significantly exceeded the maximum amount of $25,000 ($25,000 was the claim limit prior to the adjustment to $30,000 in June 2012). On his part, Mr Majibur had accepted the compensation benefits comprising medical expenses as well as permanent incapacity compensation under WICA. Mr Majibur has managed to raise the necessary funds to undergo the cranioplasty procedure with the support of an NGO, and MOM has since facilitated his request to remain in Singapore to undergo the surgery.

6.   MOM would like to reiterate that employers are required to provide for the upkeep and maintenance of their workers under the Work Permit and S Pass conditions, even while they are undergoing medical treatment.

Injured foreign worker: Has gotten financial help to replace missing part of the skull
- Lianhe Zaobao, 10 July 2012

After waiting for a year and four months, an NGO has successfully raised the funds for the worker’s cranioplasty surgery, allowing him to return home with a complete skull.

The injured worker, 24 year old Majibur Hakim, with the aid of volunteer Debbie Fordyce, 57, gained the support of TWC2, allowing him to undergo the cranioplasty surgery.

Debbie also helped him approach MOM and ICA for an extension of his visa. The surgery will take place within the next few months.

The Bangladeshi worker fell unconscious at a construction site on 21 March last year. His co-workers sent him to the nearby Raffles Hospital where doctors found that he was bleeding in the brain and decided to remove a piece of his skull to save his life.

Because of the damage to his brain, in the early stages of Hakim’s recuperation, the left side of his body was not fully functional and he could neither eat nor talk. Till today, when he speaks, the left side of his lips are unable to move naturally.

Hakim was awarded Work Injury Compensation, but as cranioplasty is not covered by the compensation, he had no choice but to seek the help of TWC2.

Debbie said that without the protection of the missing piece of his skull, Hakim would be in danger of sustaining life-threatening injuries to his head, as the environment in Singapore is different from that of his home country. Furthermore, she is also worried that Hakim would not receive adequate medical care once he returns home.

She added that the authorities in charge of the Work Injury Compensation felt that Hakim’s condition was stable and that the cranioplasty was cosmetic as it was not urgent, hence the employers did not have to foot the cost of the operation as well.

Debbie reveals that the operation will cost around $20,000 and that they have already spoken to doctors, with the surgery scheduled to take place in the next few months.

For the past year and four months, Hakim has continued life with an indentation in the right side of his skull. He says that when he wakes up in the morning, the blood flow to his head makes his scalp round again, as if he had never suffered the injury. However, by noon, his head would gradually collapse back in. He also said that when he walks in the sun, he can feel the heat on his brain.

While he was recuperating, his employer allowed him to continue staying at the hostel, but he found it difficult spending long stretches of time alone. Last December, Debbie took him in, allowing him to stay together with a few other workers who were awaiting the results of their Work Injury Compensation. He received support from them and was able to endure the difficult days.

Hakim says that he is extremely grateful to TWC2 for enabling him to return home without missing a piece of his skull.

Although he cannot recover the full use of his body, Hakim looks forward to using his compensation money to buy a piece of property in his home village, moving out of the slums and providing his two younger sisters with a good education.