KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has validated a complaint by a doctor in Gerik Hospital, Perak, of workplace physical assault by his colleague, a medical assistant.
In a widely shared Facebook post last December 1, Dr Aidid Nawawi Ghazali accused a medical assistant, called Mr H, of hitting him – seven blows to his back and two more to the back of his head – in front of other people in a treatment area in the district hospital.
Perak state health director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha said an internal investigation committee, formed on the same day as the complaint filed last June 4, conducted an investigation last June 12.
“Investigations found that the complaint had basis,” he said in a statement yesterday.
“Subsequently, the hospital director issued a reprimand letter to the involved officer on July 31, 2024. A letter on the findings of the internal investigation was sent to Dr Aidid on August 1, 2024.
“The Perak state health department (JKN) has also formed an independent investigation committee on the incident. The MOH takes bullying and assault seriously, with zero tolerance towards any form of workplace assault. JKN Perak has also contacted the complainant and offered counselling services.”
In his Facebook post, Dr Aidid said the assault occurred when he and his colleagues were treating a female patient who had been assaulted by a family member. Mr H, who wasn’t part of the emergency team, walked into the cubicle, claiming he knew the patient from secondary school.
“He had no valid reason to be there and wasn’t related to her by blood. I politely escorted him out, explaining that he shouldn’t be in the cubicle. He didn’t argue and left. I thought that was the end of it. I was wrong,” wrote Dr Aidid.
“Mr H returned – not quietly this time but more insistent. He walked into the cubicle again, this time while police officers were present to take the patient’s statement. Once more, I intervened, reminding him that he had no business being there, especially when the patient wasn’t fully covered.
“But instead of leaving, he hit me. Yes, he hit me. Seven blows to my back, two more to the back of my head. I froze. Everyone froze. Nobody stepped in. Nobody said a word.
“I was smacked, humiliated, and left utterly stunned while my colleagues and the officers just stood there. Mr H walked out as if nothing had happened.”
Dr Aidid said he filed a police report and wrote a letter to the hospital director about the incident. Three months later, he found a letter from the hospital director to him that had apparently been sitting in the office mailbox for nearly a month.
Gerik Hospital’s stance on the workplace physical assault incident, according to Dr Aidid, was simply: “We feel sorry this happened to you. As a precaution, staff are now reminded to stay within their designated work areas unless they have a valid reason to visit another department.”
“That was it. No apology. No acknowledgment of the trauma I endured. No consequences for Mr H. He kept his job. He faced no repercussions. He continues to work alongside me, while I’m left to pick up the pieces of my shattered sense of safety,” wrote Dr Aidid.
“No one cared enough to ask how I was doing. No one wondered how I was coping with the trauma of being physically assaulted by a colleague in front of witnesses who said nothing.
“I can’t sleep. I’m anxious at work. I fear Mr H. I seek help to manage my overwhelming fear and anxiety. I remind myself my work matters – we save lives. But who saves me? I’m still left to work with my abuser. I hope the trauma disappears, and I feel safe again.”
