I will personally investigate, Melaka exco promises bullied doctors

 

Melaka state executive councillor Dr Muhamad Akmal says he was once a houseman but never suffered any bullying. (Bernama pic)

MELAKA: A state executive councillor has given a personal assurance of action to protect trainee doctors (housemen) in Melaka from being bullied.

Dr Muhamad Akmal, who oversees health matters, said those who have been bullied to the point of tarnishing their dignity should lodge a complaint so that prompt action can be taken.

Trainee doctors who were victims of bullying could complain to him via Facebook or in person because such incidents should not take place in a professional and critical sector.

“I will personally investigate the complaint and take action if it actually took place because I will not allow any trainee doctor in Melaka to be bullied so badly as to undermine their dignity as long as I am holding this portfolio.“A stern warning is also given to medical officers or specialists who arbitrarily bully trainee doctors without mercy,” he said in a statement here today.

He said trainee doctors should be given proper training and not be casually bullied because the two-year housemanship period which the group must go through was a most important and critical period.

Muhamad Akmal said the trainee doctors must apply the knowledge learned at the school of medicine during an actual working situation and were also forced to work in a stressed situation and long working hours.

He said the experience the trainee doctors went through during the housemanship period would have a long-term impact on their careers while helping to turn them into proficient doctors.

“I was also a houseman for two years at Ampang Hospital and experienced the trials and tribulations of learning and gleaning experience to become a doctor. Thank God, no senior, medical officer or specialist bullied me to the point of undermining my dignity,” he said.

Last week, a trainee doctor at Penang Hospital was reported to have died after falling from a building. The health ministry has announced an independent task force to investigate the death and allegations of bullying at government facilities. -Mkini