THE independent task force by the Health Ministry (MOH) should not only investigate the recent death of a houseman and look into bullying among healthcare workers but also into all contributing stress factors in the healthcare system, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said.

“This task force should look into the whole training system and other causes of stress related to work, which is not only seen among the house officers but also at other senior levels,” MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said his ministry would form an independent task force to investigate the death of a junior doctor in Penang.

He said the unit would also probe into alleged bullying among trainee doctors in the government service.

Dr Koh welcomed the formation of the task force, saying it could be useful in resolving bullying cases.

“Setting up an independent task force is a good move by the Health Ministry.

“MMA has worked with MOH throughout the years to look at the grouses among the healthcare personnel and there has been progress on this.

“We cannot deny that some cases of bullying have not been resolved satisfactorily and therefore an independent body will be useful in such cases,” he said.

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

The deceased was stationed at Penang Hospital on April 4.

Khairy said he had received the initial death report from the head of the Penang Health Department.

Police are also completing their investigation into the case, he added. – May 7, 2022.