KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 – The Ministry of Health (MOH) is setting up an independent taskforce to investigate the recent death of a trainee doctor from Penang Hospital and alleged workplace bullying.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin tweeted the announcement while saying that he has received a preliminary report on the death of the houseman from the deceased’s head of department at Penang Hospital.
“The police are also completing investigations. MOH will form an independent taskforce to investigate this case and the ‘bullying’ culture that allegedly occurred,” he said.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow yesterday called for a special MOH inquiry into the death of a 25-year-old trainee doctor from Penang Hospital, who fell to his death last April 17 outside his residence, less than two weeks after his April 4 posting to the MOH facility.
Penang state executive councillor Dr Norlela Ariffin said in a statement earlier today that she will set up a Penang state health committee meeting to investigate problems faced by junior doctors.
“I wish the Health Ministry would change the culture of keeping everything under wraps. It is frustrating because it is hard to penetrate these walls to get the truth and solve real problems,” she said.
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.
