THE Penang health committee will convene a state-level meeting soon to investigate problems faced by junior doctors, Norlela Ariffin said. 

The state health committee chairman said it wants to find an amicable solution to issues faced by junior doctors.

“We want to address these issues formally and find a real solution for change,” the Penanti assemblyman said in a statement.

Norlela said the committee will hold a special meeting with house officers and junior doctors to hear their side of the story on issues faced prior to meeting hospital authorities and health department officials. 

Norlela said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin as well as the stakeholders in the ministry were informed of the matter. 

On April 17, a 25-year-old houseman died after falling from an office building along Jalan Datuk Keramat in George Town, Penang.

The houseman was stationed at Penang Hospital on April 4. 2022. 

The Penang health department said that the trainee doctor’s death is currently being investigated by police. 

The state’s health department director Dr Ma’arof Sudin said police have ordered a post-mortem to be conducted, which will be performed at the forensic department in Penang Hospital.

Norlela had earlier urged the ministry to look into the work conditions of junior doctors at government hospitals, claiming many of them are subject to “inhumane” work conditions.

Now, she hopes that the ministry will be transparent in all matters. 

“I have received so many invaluable insights on issues faced by junior doctors and housemen, and suggestions on how to revamp the system.

“I wish the Health Ministry will change the culture of keeping everything under wraps. It is frustrating because it is hard to get to the real truth and solve the problem,” she added. – May 6, 2022.