2011.6.19.

Health Screening for Foreign Workers

Text by Ying-Hua Mao Photo by You-Liang Lai

For the first time, Tzu Chi Foundation and Taipei’s Department of Labor collaborated and organized a free clinic for foreign workers. A series of free health screenings were provided to promote good health. The first session was scheduled for June 19 at the Tucheng Industrial District Community Center. The Department of Labor arranged shuttle buses for the workers to travel between the factories, dormitories and the clinic demonstrating their genuine support for the health of close to a hundred foreign workers.

The first free health clinic for foreign workers is organized by Tzu Chi and Taipei’s Department of Labor.

Health Screenings with Seven Specialties and Lanuuages

Although the Health Department requires regular health examinations for foreign workers, those are screenings for infectious diseases that are legally required when they entered the country. Hence, the basic health checkup was lacking. In addition, language barriers prevent these workers from fully expressing their health concerns. Therefore, even though they have access to many health resources, they are hesitant to go to hospitals. As a result, Taipei’s Department of Labor, collaborated with the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA), organized a free clinic on a weekend so that the foreign workers who work on weekdays can receive free medical consultation and screening services. Seven services were provided: dental, ophthalmology, internal medicine, dermatology, bone density screening, ERT (ear, nose and throat) and mental health. To strengthen the quality of customer service, TIMA mobilized several translation volunteers who can speak English and languages from Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Considerate measures were taken to ensure the foreign workers could receive their treatment without worrying about the language barrier.

Sa Yung from Thailand (Left 1) was the first to register. A volunteers is taking blood pressure and recording his vital statistics.

The Director of the Department of Labor, Poa-Hua Kao, arrived very early at the clinic. He warmly greeted all the volunteers and asked about the status of the clinic. He said, “Taipei is the second city that has the largest number of foreign workers. With the free clinic, we hope to actively engage these workers, express our goodwill and care. We would like them to live in Taipei as their second hometown.”

Through these activities, the Department of Labor would like to improve the physical and mental health of the foreign workers, and enhance the harmony and labor relations between the employers and employees. Every participant at the clinic received a copy of the Foreign Worker Quarterly Journal, published by the Department of Labor and a copy of the Foreign Worker Notebook. Participants also received gifts such as reusable cups, bags, and reading glasses. Moreover, ten members from the Chinese Cosmetology Association offered free haircuts on site and licensed professional massage therapists gave stress-relieving massages.

Positive Feedback - Taiwanese People are Very Friendly

Sa Yung from Thailand was the first person who registered at 8:15 a.m. He had been suffering from arthritis. He came today specifically to seek medical treatment and friendly volunteers greeted and directed him to the appropriate services. Sa Yung said, “My Taiwanese employer is good. He pays me very well. You are all so nice. Your smiles make me very happy.” Volunteers asked what he does on his day off. He said he would usually go out with friends. The volunteer asked him if he would like to offer some of his time to help others. Sa Yung immediately nodded his head, and said, “Yes! Yes!”

Ricardo from the Philippines found out about the health fair and rushed to the health clinic as soon as he finished his night shift.

Ricardo from the Philippines just finished his night shift. He came right to the clinic without any sleep. He has been in Taiwan for six years. He is luckier than other people because his wife also works in Taiwan; however, he misses his two teenage boys in the distant homeland.

Photo1: Licensed professional massage therapist Te-Chang Lin enthusiastically relieves stress for foreign workers.

Photo2: Pao-Hua Kao, Director of Taipei’s Department of Labor, arrived at the health clinic. Dr. Chia-Fu Lee (front), TIMA member and Assistant Medical Superintendent of National Army Beitou Hospital, explained the operation of the clinic to the director.

Because of his work, Ricardo does not eat well. He has trouble breathing and he has pain and soreness in his neck and shoulders. At the clinic, the doctor gave him the necessary treatment to ease his discomfort. Through the interpreter, Ricardo said he already knew about the good work Tzu Chi has done in the Philippines. He knew Tzu Chi helped to make it possible for a conjoined twin to have separation surgery in Taiwan. He becomes a regular Tzu Chi donor at his company.

For this clinic, TIMA had coordinated For this clinic, TIMA had coordinated a very strong team. Mental Health Specialist Dr. Chia-Fu Lee had private talks with many foreign workers and greatly improved their anxieties. Six dental tables were spread out in the clinic and the sound of the dental drills was nonstop. Dr. Tze Kam Lung of the Northern Chapter of TIMA said, “There is a Jing Si Aphorism that says we can train our minds with what we do. This is a good prescription to help us learn how to be accommodating, whether we are doing our own work or we are coordinating the clinic operation with others.” In order to enable more foreign workers to receive treatment, another health-screening fair is scheduled on September 19. TIMA hopes to attract more people to attend this fair.