[UPDATED] MoH to establish task force to probe into Penang houseman’s death

KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry will set up an independent task force to investigate the sudden death of a Penang houseman and allegations of a bullying culture among the healthcare fraternity.

Its minister Khairy Jamaluddin also confirmed that he has received an initial report on the case from the houseman’s head of department.

“I’ve received an initial report on the death of a trainee doctor from the victim’s head of department who is based in Penang. Police are also finishing up their investigation.

“The Health Ministry will be establishing an independent task force to probe into the case and the alleged bullying culture,” he tweeted today.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah also chimed in on Twitter in a reply to Khairy, saying the ministry is awaiting the post-mortem report and chemistry results.

He also weighed in on the alleged bullying culture, saying it “is wrong and cannot be tolerated anywhere, especially in hospitals”. 

“We are waiting for the police investigation to conclude and the post-mortem report including the chemistry results.”

Earlier today, state health exco Dr Norlela Ariffin said in a statement that she will call for a meeting with stakeholders soon to formally discuss the incident and come up with changes and solutions.

“The meeting will first involve trainee and junior doctors before meeting with health directors, deputy health directors, hospital directors, and heads of departments in Penang.

“We want real change and not just knee-jerk solutions or plaster over the matter. That’s why it needs to be minuted in the meeting and sent to the health minister (Khairy Jamaluddin). He has been informed about it.”

She added that she has received many insights on issues faced by trainee and junior doctors as well as suggestions on how to overhaul the current system.

Northeast acting police chief V. Saravanan said authorities are looking to take statements from the victim’s family members, possibly this week, to facilitate the investigation into the houseman’s sudden death.

He added that police are still waiting for the post-mortem results, and lab and chemistry reports, as well as having taken statements from a doctor and a housemate of the victim.

The Vibes reported that northeast district police head Soffian Santong confirmed the case, saying that the initial investigation centred on sudden death.

He did not rule out the possibility of the case being reclassified if fresh evidence comes to light.

The houseman, whose name has been withheld due to a request from his parents, was posted to the hospital just three weeks before his sudden demise here. This is believed to be the second death to involve a junior doctor in the span of two years.

In December 2020, The Vibes reported that another doctor who had resigned from the same hospital had died suddenly. – The Vibes, May 6, 2022