Ms. Noorlina Senin has called for the comprehensiveness of the pre- employment health-screening tests. New FDWs (foreign domestic workers) will have to go through a medical examination within 14 days, after coming in Singapore, before the issue of work permit.

The aim of this medical test is to make sure that FWD is fit to work and does not cause a public health threat. But this does not ensure that workers are free from all illnesses. Employers may send their workers for other tests, if needed.

For medical examination, screening for TB is mandatory along with Syphilis, HIV and Malaria. By using test X- rays, screening of TB would be done. Candidate found to have active TB and candidates with lung scarring will be referred to the Tuberculosis Control Unit for further examination. After working for two years in Singapore, screening of TB will be repeated.

The Mantoux test is used to monitor contacts of active TB cases. A positive Mantoux test in a person with no indications may show the presence of dormant TB infection, which means that they possess TB germs but are not ill because the germs inactive. There is also a possibility that TB germs become active on later stages.