DESIGNATED FACTORY DOCTORS (Training)

Mr M.K.A. Jabbar asked the Minister or Communications and Minister for Labour what is the plan of the Ministry of Labour for training a sufficient number of designated factory doctors to carry out the proposed compulsory medical examination of workers in hazardous occupations.

The Minister of State for Labour (Dr Wong Kwei Cheong) (for the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, in order to carry out compulsory medical examination of workers exposed to occupational health hazards, designated factory doctors (DFD) will be required to undergo a course in basic occupational health. Such courses will be conducted by the National Productivity Board (NPB), the first of which will commence on 23rd March, 1983. Since factory doctors operate a full-time practice, the course has been specially tailored for the doctors' convenience, and will be conducted on a part-time basis on two afternoons a week over a period of four months.

In a survey conducted by NPB, a total of 481 doctors have expressed interest in attending the course. This number is more than sufficient to meet the demand for trained doctors when legislation is introduced to require doctors to register with the Ministry.

For 1983, two courses will be conducted to train a total of 70 doctors. The number of courses will be stepped up in 1984 when another 240 doctors are expected to be trained. By end 1985 all doctors who have indicated interest in the course will have been trained. Thereafter, NPB will continue to offer the DFD course for as long as there is a demand for it.