Fomema

Since October 2004, the registration and processing of medical examination results of foreign workers in Malaysia has speeded up, thanks to the implementation of an integrated online system.

So far, Fomema has successfully cut queue time by as much as half with the new online service. Employers can also download registration forms and check the status of the medical examinations online or via SMS (short messaging service).

According to Tang Yow Lee, general manager for Fomema, IT is central to Fomema's operations.

Tang said it is important that the health check agency has an IT infrastructure that enables secured transmission of results conducted by the respective doctors, and at X-ray rooms and laboratories, and sent electronically for certification to the Immigration Department.

"We need an efficient IT infrastructure to carry this out," he said.

Built at a cost of RM3 million (US$790,000), the system was jointly developed by Fomema, dbix Systems and Hewlett-Packard.

On the success factors of implementing IT, Tang said: "It must be user-friendly, comprehensive, reliable and secure."

Fomema registers an average of 50,000 to 80,000 workers per month, and there are now plans to leverage other technologies to further improve communication between all parties in the value chain.

For example, instead of using e-mail, doctors and customers can discuss issues in real-time using "live chat" tools, Tang said.

He added that the health agency is also exploring online payment to reduce paper processing, and to make it more convenient for customers.