No need to ban workers who are hepatitis B carriers

02 Apr 2010, The Straits Times

Question

Name of the Person: Felynn Chin (Ms)

Why aren't maids screened for hepatitis B?

RECENTLY, I employed a new maid and took her for a hepatitis B vaccination. To my surprise, I discovered that she was a hepatitis B carrier.

Only when I inquired with the maid agency and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) did I realise that hepatitis B is not part of a maid's health screening checklist.

The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. Maids are in close contact with an employer's family regularly: carrying babies, showering elderly parents and children, and preparing our meals, to name a few.

Shouldn't hepatitis B be made part of the health screening checklist, considering the consequences of transmission?

Our replacement maid too tested positive for hepatitis B.

Reply

Name of the Person: Karen Tan (Ms)

Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Health 

Name of the Person: Farah Rahim (Ms)

Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Manpower 

MS FELYNN Chin asked on Monday, 'Why aren't maids screened for hepatitis B?', as she was worried about acquiring hepatitis B from infected foreign domestic workers (FDWs). There is no compelling need to screen FDWs for hepatitis B or to ban hepatitis B carriers from working in Singapore.

First, hepatitis B is not transmitted through casual contact. It is transmitted through sexual contact or injection needles.

Second, vaccination offers effective prevention against hepatitis B. Hepatitis B vaccination has been incorporated into our Childhood Immunisation Programme since 1985. An individual who has received the full course of vaccination is protected even if exposed to hepatitis B carriers.

All foreign workers, including FDWs, have to undergo a medical examination by a registered Singapore doctor within 14 days of their arrival in Singapore. They will be screened for HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis and malaria. They must provide accurate details of their medical history, failing which they may be barred from working here.