If you employ a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) in Singapore, the six-monthly medical examination — usually called the 6ME — is one of the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) requirements you will manage twice a year. It sounds technical, but it is straightforward once you know what it is for. This simple guide walks you through it.
What is the 6ME?
The 6ME is a routine medical check that your helper must undergo roughly every six months while she works in Singapore. It is a condition of her Work Permit and is designed to protect everyone — your helper, your family and the wider community — by catching certain health issues early.
What does it check?
The examination is carried out by a Singapore-registered doctor or clinic and generally screens for a small set of infectious conditions and pregnancy, as required under the Work Permit conditions. The clinic submits the results to MOM. Because the exact tests and rules can be updated, your clinic and MOM’s website will confirm the current requirements at the time of each check.
Why MOM requires it
- Health and safety for your helper and your household, including any children or elderly members.
- Early detection of treatable conditions.
- Work Permit compliance — keeping the 6ME current is part of meeting your obligations as an employer.
Tip: Pop each 6ME due date into your phone calendar with a two-week reminder. Booking a little early avoids last-minute scrambling and keeps her Work Permit in good standing.
How to arrange it
- Note the due date. You will be informed when each 6ME is due; mark it down.
- Book a clinic that performs MDW medical examinations — many GP clinics do.
- Bring the needed documents (such as her Work Permit details and identification).
- Attend the appointment; the clinic submits results to MOM.
- Keep a record of completion for your reference.
Who pays, and a note on results
As the employer, you are responsible for arranging and paying for the 6ME, and for your helper’s medical care more generally. Clinic charges vary, so it is worth asking for the fee when you book. If a result needs follow-up, your clinic and MOM will advise the proper next steps — please handle any outcome with care and confidentiality for your helper.
How it fits the bigger picture
The 6ME sits alongside the other employer basics: a valid Work Permit, medical insurance, and the $5,000 security bond for non-Malaysian helpers (waived for Malaysian helpers). First-time helpers also complete the Settling-In Programme (SIP) when they arrive. Staying on top of these keeps everything running smoothly.
How Ming Hwee helps
Ming Hwee (MOM Licence 12C6072) reminds and guides our employers on the 6ME and the rest of the paperwork, so nothing slips through the cracks. Whether you are hiring your first helper or managing renewals for an experienced one, we are here to make compliance simple. Find your helper with us, or send a WhatsApp message if you have any questions about your helper’s medical or Work Permit.
Related guides
- The Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP): A Quick Guide
- Off-Day Rules: Compensation vs Rest Day in Lieu
- The Settling-In Programme (SIP): What Employers Should Know
Ready to hire? Get a free, no-obligation helper shortlist from Ming Hwee — Singapore’s trusted maid agency since 1983.
