BULLYING of junior doctors in public hospitals is a chronic issue and a culture, according to Hartal Doktor Kontrak in dismissing the Malaysian Medical Association’s assertion that there had only been a handful of cases.

The group’s representative, Dr Omar Shahala, said the MMA’s claim was “nonsense”, adding that bullying was a systemic issue.

“That (MMA’s comment) is nonsense. What we know is just on the surface, they need to do background checks,” Omar told The Malaysian Insight.

“Junior doctors are subjected to mental and physical bullying, the latter means working extra hours, staying until 1am and coming back at 5am (to work). It’s a norm.

“However, mental bullying is more dangerous. It breaks the spirit, one (junior doctor) even jumped off a building.

“This is not about race or anything like that, but the culture in hospitals. The system is toxic. The seniors are heartless and they treat us like animals,” he said.

Omar said he was aware of approximately 30 cases of junior doctors bullied by their superiors.

“That is a lot. (Senior doctors) who are nearing retirement, superiors and consultants, they are dinosaurs.

“They bring old culture (when bullying was normal) to the new generation of doctors,” he said.

In a press conference on Tuesday, MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said there were not many cases of serious bullying in the health service.

Koh added that recent reports of bullying should not be misunderstood, as reports often cited past cases.

Meanwhile, DAP lawmaker P. Ramasamy said the MMA was out of touch with reality.

It is high time Malaysia learns from overseas hospitals, he said.

“We should learn from those doing their horsemanship overseas. The culture is different, they understand the need for balance of life and work.

“Doctors here often tell patients here the need for work-life balance, but they don’t practise what they preach.”

However, yesterday evening in reacting to the criticism, the MMA said it had never condoned any form of bullying, and that comments accusing it of downplaying abuse by senior doctors were unfair.

“The MMA reiterates its stand that it does not condone any form of bullying. Period.

“What we are saying is that it is time that bullying be properly defined, so we can identify genuine cases to allow appropriate action to be taken,” Koh said in a statement.

“All cases of bullying need to be reported for action to be taken. Though much has been mentioned on social media, only a handful have actually been reported, which does not mean that there are only a few cases.

“It may be the tip of an iceberg and this is indeed cause for worry and concern. Those affected by bullying must also not remain silent,” he added.

Omar said that it was hard reforming the toxic workplace culture because many of those who perpetuate bullying were deemed irreplaceable by the Ministry of Health.

“They (senior doctors) are untouchable because the government needs them.

“If they resign, who is going to replace them? Some of them are even affiliated with political parties,” he said.

Omar said while the MMA is supposed to help doctors fight for their rights, the association is not very effective in its negotiations.

“This is why Hartal Doktor Kontrak uses social media like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to make issues go viral. Once it becomes viral, only then there is concern,” he said.

In the past two weeks, since the death of the trainee doctor in Penang, Hartal Doktor Kontrak has been sharing the experiences faced by junior doctors on its various social media channels.

Based on postings on their social media, bullying and even sexual harassment has been reported in hospitals in the Klang Valley, the East Coast and Sabah.

Hartal Doktor Kontrak is now encouraging junior doctors to carry a voice recorder with them to record any bullying or harassment.

“Since our leaders are reluctant to help their own successors, we have to fight for ourselves,” the group said.

The recent death of a house officer at Penang Hospital has brought the issue of bullying junior doctors to the fore.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the ministry would form an independent task force to investigate, where the doctor reportedly committed suicide.

The houseman had died after falling from an office building on Jalan Dato Keramat, George Town.

Police are investigating the case as sudden death but could reclassify it if fresh evidence comes to light.

Khairy said the unit would also probe alleged bullying of trainee doctors in the government service. – May 12, 2022.