Useful to have junior doctor reps in task force, says MP

 

The opinions of junior doctors need to be heard and they should be included in the government task force, says neurophysiologist Dr Zalina Ismail. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A DAP leader and a health expert have urged the health ministry to include junior doctors in a task force to probe the recent death of a houseman.

Previously, health minister Khairy Jamaluddin had claimed that the exclusion of junior doctor representatives in the task force was to ensure no “prejudice” occurred in the investigation.

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said having a representative from the junior doctors or even medical NGOs such as the Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists (Schomos) was beneficial to the investigation.

“They have been fighting for the rights and welfare of junior doctors for years and they can act professionally in any of those settings,” he told FMT.

Yii said having junior doctors and medical NGOs as part of the committee would empower and allow them to give direct input on a “lived reality”.

He said these doctors would be able to corroborate and verify testimonies on the ground to ensure the committee gets the full picture.

“Merely engaging with these medical NGOs is not the same as having them be part of the fact-finding and decision-making task force. This issue needs to be addressed holistically,” he said.

Neurophysiologist Dr Zalina Ismail said the Malaysian Qualifications Agency requires student representation in the exam board at the medical level so that their points of view are represented.

“Similarly, in this case, their (medical students) opinions need to be heard and they should be part of that task force, especially those from Schomos,” she said, adding that the task force should be democratic, fair and transparent.

She pointed out that it is a case of identifying the abuse and preventing it.

“If we want solid strategies that work for the houseman officers, then they need to be included in any such task force,” she said.

Yesterday, Khairy said the task force would take into consideration the views of all stakeholders to ensure that its report was balanced and fair.

He also rubbished claims that the task force was not inclusive, stating that it would seek feedback from parties such as the MMA and Schomos. - FMT