ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA) has claimed that the Gulf-cooperation Council (GCC)-approved medical centres were involved in “loot and plunder” in the name of medical tests.
In a statement issued on Monday, POEPA informed that the GCC-approved Medical Centres Association (GAMCA), which was administratively managing 45 medical centres in Pakistan, had made it compulsory for Pakistani workers to have their medical tests done from its approved centres before departing to Saudi Arabia.
“But the medical centres are charging Rs9,000 for each test, while an additional amount of Rs2,000 is being charged separately in the name of registration… other laboratories are charging half the fee for the same,” it stated. “These medical centres are just a source of loot and plunder as their certificates are not even accepted in the Gulf countries; workers again have to go through the (test) process after landing in Saudi Arabia.
POEPA requested the government to establish a regulatory authority to check the GCC-approved medical centres, claiming that none of these medical centres submit their tax returns.
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) had also imposed a hefty fine on these medical centres in 2012; however; they got a stay from court.
POEPA urged Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Suleman to issue directions to the Saudi Embassy in Pakistan to manage the matters pertaining to medical tests. It also urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice of the exploitation of the poor workers in the name of tests and take urgent measures to stop the dirty practice forthwith.
“The Pakistani government, with the help of Saudi Arabia, should find out some mutually agreed solution to this serious problem so that these poor workers could be protected from loot and plunder by these mafias,” the statement concluded.
Given how visa fee is shared between the local agent and the Saudi agent at the embassy, it is possible that someone in the embassy is getting his share from this loot. When other countries such as Qatar Airways and Emirates UAE accept tests from Esa, AKUH,etc. labs at 6500/- why not other GCC countries?
I have been trying to deduct ten dollars from your side to take my family’s medical appointment for about two to three days but I am not able to pay the fee. Please check. There is no such problem from the bank because OTP is also coming
I was working in Saudi Arabia . My mother was serious . I have to come for my mother . After Final exit I came back in Pakistan . Because I don’t know how much time I have to stay with My mother . My kafeel suggest me that you go to Pakistan and when you ask I will send you new visa . My mother died 😭 and after a year My. Kafeel send me new visa . I go for medical center they make me unfit for left cp angle blunting . I go to Islamabad diagnostic center for check up they ask me you are ok . I also go to another medical center they also ask you are ok no problem found . Many other doctors see my reports they found nothing . Gamca is just playing with our career’s . I am only one supporting my family . We are now hand to mouth . Where is justice?