KUALA LUMPUR: The special task force investigating the tragic passing of a pathologist at Lahad Datu Hospital should engage all stakeholders and be thorough, transparent, and productive.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said that the Health Ministry (MOH) should also review the recommendations made by the Healthcare Work Culture Improvement Task Force (HWCITF) in 2022.
"While we commend this initiative, we also urge the MOH to review the recommendations made by the HWCITF in 2022. Although these recommendations were compiled by a largely different panel, significant time, effort, and resources were invested in research, gathering insights, and feedback from public healthcare staff.
"Transparency regarding which recommendations, if any, were adopted by the MOH would help clarify the direction of these ongoing reforms and reassure healthcare personnel about the government's commitment to addressing work culture issues and challenges.
"We urge that the newly-formed task force be empowered to review the findings and recommendations of the HWCITF," he said in a statement.
On Wednesday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced that the MOH has set up a task force to investigate the death of the chemical pathologist in Lahad Datu and to review the overall work culture at Lahad Datu Hospital.
Kalwinder added that the task force, in formulating its own recommendations to prevent bullying in the workplace, should engage and obtain views from all stakeholders and consider other complaints that have been raised.
"As such, the MMA urges that the task force also look into another case of alleged bullying in Sabah that has yet to be resolved. The MMA has been highlighting this issue to the MOH since last year after receiving complaints from a group of doctors there," he said.
He reiterated that the MMA is prepared to assist the task force in its investigations in any form and capacity as needed.
"The MMA has consistently emphasised the importance of prioritising the mental health and well-being of all doctors. We stand firmly against any form of bullying and fully support the MOH in creating a safe and positive work environment," he said.
The pathologist was found dead in her home on Aug 29.
A man, who claims to be her family member, said his sister had reported for duty in February this year, and became the head of a unit at the hospital.
In a Facebook post, he said the hospital had contacted his family to inform them that his sister had died, believed to be due to suicide, at her rented home.