Dzul vows clampdown on workplace bullying in govt health facilities

 Minister orders top officials to take the lead in establishing healthy work cultures and to promptly probe misconduct complaints.

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said a government circular issued by the public services department firmly barred the use of coarse language or verbal abuse at the workplace.

PETALING JAYA:

 The health ministry will bolster enforcement against workplace bullying in government health facilities, says minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Dzulkefly said public hospitals should be professional and ethical workplace environments that would make it conducive for healthcare workers to do their jobs.

He added that a government circular issued by the public services department firmly barred the use of coarse language or verbal abuse.

“To ensure there is no ambiguity in handling issues of misconduct, the health ministry will enhance implementation of the circular.

“This document is a mandatory reference in determining disciplinary action to ensure that each complaint is processed fairly and transparently at all levels of the relevant healthcare facility,” he said in a statement.

The minister added that the top management of all public health facilities must take the lead in establishing harmonious and healthy work cultures.

They must also immediately investigate any complaint of misconduct without compromise or prejudice, he added.

“I want to stress that the failure of leaders to respond to complaints is a serious failure of governance. Failure to take action is a failure in itself,” said Dzulkefly.

Over the years, there have been multiple reports of workplace bullying of junior doctors and toxic cultures in government healthcare facilities, even allegedly leading to cases of attempted suicide.

In August, Dzulkefly launched the ministry’s workplace bullying guidelines in hopes of curbing bullying in the workplace. - FMT