Set timelines for probing sexual harassment, bullying in hospitals, says MMA

 The Malaysian Medical Association says cases should not be allowed to drag on for months without resolution or updates.

The Malaysian Medical Association said the allegation that a complainant or witness had been pressured to withdraw or alter a complaint should also be investigated.

PETALING JAYA:

The Malaysian Medical Association has called for clear timelines to be set for investigations into sexual harassment and workplace bullying in the public healthcare system.

MMA president Dr R Thirunavukarasu said cases should not be allowed to drag on for months without resolution or updates.

He was responding to the decision by Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Bahru to set up a special committee to investigate a sexual harassment complaint involving a medical specialist from its anaesthesiology department.

The Johor health department said the hospital received the complaint on Aug 28 and began an internal investigation. It also said there were allegations that certain parties had asked the complainant to withdraw the complaint.

Dr R Thirunavukarasu.

The department said it would not tolerate attempts to conceal or obstruct complaints, or pressure staff into withdrawing them, adding that the investigation report was being finalised.

Thirunavukarasu said the health ministry should strengthen its complaints mechanism, particularly for cases involving senior officers.

He said complaints involving senior officers should be allowed to be reported outside the immediate chain of command.

“For serious cases, investigation panels should include independent members from outside the ministry,” he said in a statement.

Thirunavukarasu said there must be zero tolerance for retaliation or interference in the complaints process.

He said the allegation that a complainant or witness had been pressured to withdraw or alter a complaint also merited an investigation. - FMT