Senior doctor’s boss made lewd remarks, says furious husband

 

The husband of a senior doctor has demanded answers from the health ministry about the lack of response to his wife’s complaints. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA: The husband of a senior doctor who was allegedly subject to sexual harassment by her superior is furious with the lack of response from the health ministry to her complaints.

The husband, who wanted to be known as John, said his wife had lost 20kg because of the stress.

He said she had complained that the director of the hospital where she works had made lewd comments to her in the presence of others. He had made remarks such as “You sepatutnya layan saya”. He had also asked “Are you a lion or a tiger?”

John said his wife had told him the director had also commented on women’s attire during meetings, such as the colour of their undergarments.

He said two inquiries were held by the ministry last year but his wife, a deputy director at the hospital, had yet to be told about the findings.

FMT has sought confirmation from health officials and is awaiting a response.

John said he had made phone calls and sent emails to top ministry officials, and even to the prime minister, to no avail.

An appointment with health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa last Wednesday was cancelled, presumably because she held a town hall meeting with doctors that evening. Zaliha has told FMT she was open to setting another date.

John said the state health department held an inquiry after being informed that the director had allegedly used foul words and talked about bras and panties at meetings with his wife and other senior doctors assisting in the inquiry.

A warning was issued but the director remained in his post, he said.

He said he and his wife chose not to lodge police reports or take legal action for fear of repercussions from the ministry.

In September 2018, an orthopaedic head of department at a public hospital in the Klang Valley was reportedly suspended for two months after young female officers undergoing housemanship accused him of sexual harassment.

The health minister then, Dzulkefly Ahmad, said complaints made before the media reports had not been handled comprehensively.

“It was only when I put my foot down and said that I was going to get to the bottom of this that many (38 witnesses) voluntarily came forward,” he said, according to New Straits Times. - FMT