A CHIEF health officer (CHO) role is becoming a must-have in both small and big organisations around the world today, as health leadership is much in demand, revealed a report commissioned by the International SOS Foundation.

International SOS Malaysia Sdn Bhd medical director Dr Chan Yanjun said she is seeing more local companies hiring CHOs as the Covid-19 pandemic has heightened the need to manage business-critical health issues.

“Traditionally, the CHO role is found in larger organisations, mostly in industries where occupational risk is high or there are strict workplace health regulations.

“In recent times, the CHO role has expanded to smaller companies and into organisations with more white-collar employees or where occupational hazards are less apparent,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

Chan said a CHO is usually a medical doctor with experience working in a primary care setting or clinical/ hospital environment, adding that he or she may also have other qualifications such as being a public health specialist or occupational health doctor.

“In certain cases, depending on the nature of the company, some employers may see a candidate having a Master of Business Administration or Master of Health Administration as an added advantage or requisite.”

CHOs can be internal appointments or external providers, or a combination of both, she added.

“They (companies) may have an internal medical officer to deliver immediate health and well-being needs, supported by external advisers to carry out specific tasks or facilitate specific regional engagements.

“It is advisable to bring external advisers on board sooner rather than later. Just as businesses have learnt the benefits of having crisis management teams prepositioned and at the ready, having advisers in place is also key.”

Chan said a CHO’s role extends beyond day-to-day human resources and health and safety executive activities, as it also bears the overall medical responsibility of the company.

“A CHO’s core tasks include managing health-related issues from critical event management, emergency response, occupational and environmental health programmes and medical leaves to the leadership and management of the medical organisation.

“A CHO also works with other departments such as global security, human resources and product stewardship, as well as the chief executive officer and board of directors to develop budgets, workplace protocols and internal health programmes.”

In Malaysia, the principal legislation that deals with the health and safety of employees is the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994.

Chan said: “Such obligations exist side by side with the common law duty of an employer to provide a safe system of work at the workplace. Further employment health and safety practices may vary from company to company, or industry to industry.”

“The presence of a CHO is crucial in ensuring the consistency and efficacy of these programmes – tailoring each to the specific challenges and needs faced by the population of each company.”

International SOS helps various sectors, from construction to power, as well as mining companies operating in remote or urban areas, and oil and gas firms in offshore environments.

It has a global clientele in more than 1,000 locations across 90 countries. In Malaysia, it operates in more than 90 sites.

Its recently released report titled Chief Health Officer 2030: Addressing the Employee Health Needs of the Future includes latest survey findings from more than 100 professionals responsible for employee health worldwide.

Based on the findings, the health requirement that has increased most in complexity in the past 12 months is infectious disease control (23%), followed by mental health support (20%), business continuity (11%) and regulatory compliance (11%).

The top factors perceived to influence an increase in employer health complexity over the next 10 years are working from home (21%), use of automation (15%) and environmental health (15%).

More than half (54%) anticipate that the change in the complexity of health requirements will increase a lot over the next 10 years, while a third (34%) expect that the scope and responsibilities of a health and safety executive will increase by 50% or more in the next 10 years.

In view of the economic downturn, Chan advised local companies to incorporate a well-being programme as it makes good business sense.

“It provides organisations with a tangible return on investment and, more importantly, an intangible value of investment such as morale boosts, workplace happiness and talent retention.

“Companies with a well-being programme notice a 5% increase in productivity, which is equivalent to one additional day each month.

“In controlling the health provision costs for each company and avoiding long-term health or medical costs, companies see a US$1.50 (RM6.27) return for every dollar invested in a well-being programme.”

Referencing the survey titled Are We Ready to Be Back in Office? conducted by market analyst Ipsos, Chan highlighted the clear divide in preference among Malaysian employees on working arrangements.

“The importance of companies in knowing how to prepare safe return to office or flexible working arrangements should not be understated.

“All employees will need support in ergonomics at work, and physical and mental health well-being, regardless if they are at the office, at home or at remote sites.”

Chan said partnering with a CHO is a key recommendation to address these problems, along with other critical health issues within a company. – October 9, 2021.