KUALA LUMPUR – The independent task force that was launched to investigate the death of a trainee doctor at a public hospital in George Town in Penang recently has been given two months to complete a detailed probe.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said aside from the incident, the Healthcare Work Culture Improvement Task Force (HWCITF) is also tasked with looking into claims of rampant bullying by senior medical officers in hospitals.
“The taskforce has already had its first meeting, and I have given it the utmost freedom (to investigate) as it is an independent team.
“At the time, they (task force members) promised to send a report to me. Therefore, we have to give them the opportunity to the independent body to conduct a detailed investigation,” Khairy said after officiating the World Asthma Day event at the Connexion Conference & Event Centre, this afternoon.
On May 13, Khairy announced the formation of HWCITF, which is tasked to look into bettering the working culture among Health Ministry staff following the bullying incident in Penang.
The task force is led by former Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry secretary-general Datuk Siti Hamisah Tapsir and also includes seven other professionals and experts.
The recent death of the Penang Hospital houseman earlier this month 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 died suddenly.
Yesterday, the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office said it will decide if an inquest will be held over the death of a houseman here after falling from his apartment building in April as police have yet to find any criminal element.
Northeast district police chief Soffian Santong told Bernama that the authorities are in the midst of completing the investigation papers and that the case is being probed as “sudden death”.
Police earlier said the initial investigation centred on sudden death, but did not rule out the possibility of the case being reclassified if fresh evidence comes to light.
The houseman was posted to the hospital just three weeks before his sudden demise here. – The Vibes, May 19, 2022
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