An employer must send a domestic helper for a medical examination every 6 months while she works in Singapore, and pay for it. MOM calls it the 6ME. Helpers aged 50 or above are exempt; they need a medical examination only when their Work Permit is renewed.
What is tested
| Test | How often |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy | Every 6 months |
| VDRL (screens for syphilis) | Every 6 months |
| HIV | Every 2 years |
| TB | Once, after 2 years of stay in Singapore |
| BMI, and checks for visible signs of abuse | Included in the examination |
When is it due?
MOM posts a notification letter and the 6ME form to you when it is due, and the examination must be done by the due date. In the FDW eService you can check the date of her previous examination and reprint the form.
Where and how
- It is done at a clinic, and the results are certified by a Singapore-registered doctor.
- You or your representative must not be present during the examination.
- The clinic sends all results to MOM, whichever tests were done.
- You pay for the examination and for any related medical costs.
When it can wait
- She is on leave overseas when it is due: you can ask to postpone it until she returns.
- She is going home within 1 month of the due date: you can skip it.
- You keep her more than 1 month past the due date: you must apply for a waiver.
If she fails
MOM requires the employer to cancel her Work Permit and send her home immediately. See if the helper does not work out for the steps of ending employment.
Related medical costs
Medical care is the employer’s responsibility, including hospital stays. Insurance covers inpatient care and day surgery, but ordinary clinic visits are not covered. See maid insurance in Singapore and employer duties.
Tips
- Book as soon as the letter arrives, not in the last week.
- Keep the form and the results with her other documents.
- If she is going on leave overseas around the due date, ask to postpone it before she goes.
Source: MOM, six-monthly medical examination. Not sure which letter applies to you? Ask us.
General information as of the date above. MOM's current rules and your own service agreement are what apply.