Penang CM Wants Special MOH Inquiry Into Houseman’s Death

“MOH cannot remain silent and allow this issue to continue,” says Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 – Chow Kon Yeow today urged the Ministry of Health (MOH) to launch a special inquiry to investigate the recent death of a Penang Hospital houseman.

The Penang chief minister said the special inquiry committee needs to identify the true cause of the incident and to prevent similar tragedies from occurring among trainee doctors in the country.

“Fundamentally, the Ministry of Health and related parties must immediately come forward to explain the incident, and at the same time, review and reshuffle the current management system if necessary, especially of that involving doctors’ placements in the present medical institutions,” Chow said in a statement.

“MOH cannot remain silent and allow this issue to continue. An appropriate strategy and solutions must be expedited for the sake of comprehensively preserving our country’s medical system.”

The Penang state health department yesterday confirmed the death of a house officer attached to Penang Hospital, who fell to his death from his residence last April 17, less than two weeks after his April 4 posting to the MOH facility.

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, who chairs the Parliament special select committee on health, science and innovation, told Penang Hospital management to take responsibility for the death of the junior doctor.

Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported allegations from some anonymous former and current house officers, who described Penang Hospital as the “worst hospital” for housemanship practice due to an alleged toxic work culture of bullying of junior doctors.

A former houseman from Penang Hospital claimed: “One doctor said I was hopeless and told me to go to the highest floor and jump off the building.”

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