The secretary-general of Caritas Macau, Paul Pun, advocates for non-resident workers (TNRs) to have access to free health care.
Speaking to the public broadcaster TDM on the sidelines of a Caritas event commemorating International Children’s Day, Pun said that TNRs have the same needs as local residents and require regular health checks as well as attention when they are ill.
“It would be good to help them get some physical checkups so they can maintain better health,” he remarked, noting that they also need support to overcome mental health issues.
“We encourage them to seek assistance or call us, because we hope that when they are unhappy, they can find us and have friends to support them. We hope they can live and work in Macau healthily and happily.”
Pun noted that TNRs are even more likely to be affected by emotional problems than local residents, as they are normally away from their families. Therefore, there is a need for additional support and a caring network to ensure their well-being.
This has been a recurring topic among the most pressing concerns of TNRs, particularly those coming from Southeast Asian countries.
The issue of access to health care for these workers has been raised by Caritas Macau for almost two decades, typically around the time of the annual policy address, but so far, no government has made improvements in that area.
TNRs who resort to public health care in Macau are required to pay 100% of all medical fees.
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