THE Malaysian Medical Associations (MMA) is out of touch with reality by downplaying instances of bullying faced by housemen in government hospitals, P. Ramasamy said.

The Penang DAP deputy chairman and deputy chief minister II called out MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai for remarks yesterday that the number of serious bullying cases was not that high.

“I find it shocking and beyond belief that the MMA seems so callous to the degree and intensity of bullying that has been brought to the surface by a recent suicide case of doctor at the Penang Hospital.

“If the MMA has nothing to say to correct the situation in government hospitals, it should remain silent or even indifferent to the matter.

“Koh should not open his mouth to expose the uncaring or indifferent attitude of the MMA. Even the loss of one life warrants investigation and action,” Ramasamy said in a statement.

In a press conference yesterday, Koh said there were not many cases of serious bullying among house officers and trainee doctors.

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

Ramasamy said the MMA, by downplaying the seriousness of bullying, had missed the point about the fact that it is remains a systemic problem.

“Koh misses the point that it is not the manifestation of the phenomenon in terms of a few cases, but the systematic practice of bullying and humiliation of the young housemen over the years.

“It is not an aberration, but something systemic.”

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 will form an independent task force to investigate the recent case in Penang, where the doctor reportedly committed suicide.

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

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. – May 11, 2022.