KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry’s decision to establish an independent task force following the sudden death of a Penang Hospital trainee doctor will be mere “wayang” (playing to the gallery) if stakeholders are ignored.
According to Hartal Doktor Kontrak spokesman Dr Muhammad Yassin, such efforts are doomed to be ineffective if the ministry fails to consider the input of others.
“A well-rounded task force must consist of independent bodies and non-governmental organisations, rights activists, and healthcare workers, especially junior doctors.
Without the involvement of those most affected, the task force will only be ‘wayang’,” he told The Vibes, adding that the movement is prepared to engage with the ministry’s initiative as long as the task force is given the freedom to carry out its functions.
Besides full powers to investigate allegations that are brought forward, he said it should also be equipped to hand out necessary remedial actions or punishment to perpetrators of improper conduct and those in managerial positions who are blind to “bullying”.
“Any directors or higher-ups who are found to be protecting bullies in the past should be given similar if not stricter punishment than what is meted out to perpetrators.”
Besides suggesting a stop to annual pay increments and time-based promotions, he proposed that those found guilty of inappropriate behaviour should be prevented from continuing their post-graduate studies and removed from their departments and hospitals.
On Friday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced the formation of an independent task force to investigate the sudden death of a Penang houseman and allegations of a bullying culture among the healthcare fraternity.
Meanwhile, the movement’s Twitter account has published allegations by anonymous individuals sharing their experience at local hospitals, with many claiming they were pushed to the brink of suicide and self-harm because of harsh treatment from senior doctors.
Yassin said the stress from long working hours and daily exposure to death is aggravated by a working culture that appears to reward bullies.
Junior doctors are at the bottom of the system and most vulnerable to bullying and harassment. As such, they are prone to go into depression and form suicidal ideations and possibly attempt suicide.”
Previously, psychiatrist Dr G.S. Grewal told The Vibes that society’s negative perception towards individuals who seek mental healthcare contributes to hesitancy among housemen in obtaining support from licensed professionals.
He said that such stigmatisation results in young doctors being unwilling to step forward and speak up about possible abuse they might be facing.
The recent death of the Penang Hospital houseman is believed to be the second involving a junior doctor in the state. In December 2020, The Vibes reported that a doctor who had resigned from the same hospital had done so suddenly.
Several doctors, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the issue, said bullying in the medical fraternity is a pervasive problem. – The Vibes, May 9, 2022
Those suffering from mental health issues can call Talian Kasih at 15999, or reach out to Befrienders at 03-7627-2929 or [email protected] for support
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