Abstract
Introduction: Asia is the new and favored magnet of economic attention and foreign investments after it made an almost uneventful rebound from the depths of financial crisis of 2008/2009. Not many Western observers fully understand the diversity that is Asia other than perhaps its 2 growing economic giants of China and India. Indeed many smaller countries like Singapore and Malaysia in South East Asia along with Australia and Hong Kong (a Special Administrative Region within China) look to symbiotic relationships with these two economic giants. The purpose of this discussion paper is to examine the current issues related to the development and provision of occupational rehabilitation services in Singapore and Malaysia with a forward-looking view of how Asia’s different developing societies could potentially benefit from better alignment of occupational rehabilitation practices and sharing of expertise through international collaboration and dialogue platforms. Methods: Seven therapists and one physician who are frequently involved in occupational rehabilitation services in their home countries critically reviewed the current issues in Singapore and Malaysia which included analysis of the prevalence and cost of occupational injury; overview of workers’ compensation system; current practices, obstacles, and challenges in providing occupational rehabilitation and return to work practices. They also offered opinions about how to improve the occupational rehabilitation programs of their two home countries. Conclusion: Even though Malaysia and Singapore are two different countries, in many ways their current provision of occupational rehabilitation services and the problems they face with are very similar. There is a lot of room for systemic improvements that require government support and action. Most prominently, the training of more healthcare professionals in the assessment and rehabilitation of the injured worker should be encouraged. There could be better liaison between the many stakeholders and more funding made available to develop resources and to jump start strategic programs. As these two countries are witnessing rapid economic growth, more resources should be allocated to establish holistic care of the injured workers emphasizing early interventions and prevention of chronic disabilities.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Channel News Asia (Singapore). Govt’s goal is to ensure all S’poreans enjoy fruits of growth: PM Lee. Retrieved from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1074117/1/.html (2010).
Jemoin MN. Status and future tasks of OSH in Malaysia. Int Congress Series. 2006;1294:65–8.
Rampal KG. Current developments and future directions of occupational health in Malaysia. Med J Malays. 2000;55(3):295–8.
Hämäläinen P. The effect of globalization on occupational accidents. Safety Sc. 2009;47:733–42.
Sadhra S, Beach JR, Aw T-C, Sheikh-Ahmed K. Occupational health research priorities in Malaysia: a Delphi study. Occup Environ Med. 2001;58:426–31.
Rampal KG, Nizam JM. Developing regulations for occupational exposures to health hazards in Malaysia. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2006;46:131–5.
Social Security Organization (Malaysia) “SOCSO”.Statistic Report. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2007).
Punnett L, Wegman DH. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: the epidemiological evidence and the debate. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2004;14:13–23.
Choi BCK. An international comparison of women’s occupational health issues in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore: the CIDA-SEAGEP study. Occup Med. 2005;55:515–22.
Hämäläinen P, Takala J, Saarela KL. Global estimates of occupational accidents. Safety Sc. 2006;44:137–56.
Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. A guide to the work injury compensation benefits and claim process 2008.
Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. Work Safety and Health Performance Report 2009.
Carangan M, Tham KY, Seow E. Work-related injury sustained by foreign workers in Singapore. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2004;33:209–13.
Chen K, Tham KY, Seow E, Wong HP. Extent and appropriateness of emergency department services usage by foreign workers in Singapore. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 1999;28:199–204.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Promotion of Persons with Disabilities 2006. Interim Report. Malaysia United Voice. Self-Advocacy Society of Persons with Learning Disabilities Selangor and Kuala Lumpur; 29th June 2006.
Lee S-M, Sng J, Kph D. The doctor in claims for work injuries and ill health–legal pitfalls. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2009;38:727–32.
Sng J, Lee S-M, Koh D. Bridging the gap between occupational medicine and family medicine. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2008;37:158–61.
Anuar I, Zahedi F, Kadir A, Mokhtar AB. Laboratory-acquired injuries in medical laboratory: a survey of three referral medical laboratories from year 2001 to 2005. J Community Health. 2008;14(1):32–8.
Krishnan M, Ramaiah R. Work-related injuries seen in a tertiary government hospital in Malaysia. J Bone Joint Surg. 2002;84B(SUPPIII):224.
Tamrin SBM, Yokoyama K, Jalaludin J, Aziz NA, Jemoin N, Nordin R, Naing AL, Abdullah Y, Abdullagh M. The association between risk factors and low back pain among commercial vehicle drivers in Peninsular Malaysia: a preliminary result. Ind Health. 2007;45:268–78.
Pransky G, Shaw W, Franche RL, Clarke A. Disability prevention and communication among workers, physicians, employers, and insurers–current models and opportunities for improvement. Disabil Rehabil. 2004;26(11):625–34.
Schultz IZ, Stowell AW, Feuerstein M, Gatchel RJ. Models of return to work for musculoskeletal disorders. J Occup Rehabil. 2007;17(2):327–52.
Chen RK, Jo S-J, Donnell CM. Enhancing the rehabilitation counselling process: understanding the obstacles to asian americans’ utilization of services. J Appl Rehabil Counselling. 2004;35(1):29–35.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chan, KF., Tan, C.W.C., Yeo, D.S.C. et al. Occupational Rehabilitation in Singapore and Malaysia. J Occup Rehabil 21 (Suppl 1), 69–76 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-011-9289-1
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-011-9289-1