GEORGE TOWN – State health committee chairman Dr Norlela Arifin said she has submitted names of individuals from five departments who were allegedly involved in the bullying of a houseman at the Penang Hospital to the health minister.
Norlela told The Vibes in a WhatsApp message that Khairy Jamaluddin had responded to her information.
Khairy had recently announced plans to set up a special task force to investigate the sudden death of the Penang houseman and allegations of a bullying culture among the healthcare fraternity.
Khairy 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 last Friday.
On the same day, Dr Norlela had 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.
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.
Following the incidents, there was an outcry from NGOs and the public for the Health Ministry to set up an investigation committee to probe the allegations. – The Vibes, May 10, 2022
