KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is investigating another death of a doctor alledgely caused by bullying at the Seberang Jaya Hospital.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry will conduct its probe into this new case and may follow up with an independent committee.
"However, I want to emphasise that we have initiated an internal investigation. This is despite accusations claiming that the ministry and I have been slow to respond.
"Immediately after the incident occurred, we began an internal investigation, similar to what I did in 2018.
"This includes a case where there was a death at Seberang Jaya Hospital, said to be the result of bullying and I am awaiting the findings from the internal investigation," he said.
This response came after a question from Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat) regarding allegations against the head of the pathology department and a pathologist related to bullying.
Yunus claimed there are police reports, including submissions to the ministry's integrity unit and a letter to the minister's office, but he said no action had been taken.
Previously, a specialist doctor, Dr Tay Tien Yaa stationed in Lahad Datu Hospital, Sabah, was found dead in her house 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.
On Sept 16, Dr Dzulkefly called for a thorough investigation into Dr Tay's death.
Dr Dzulkefly said he did not tolerate any form of workplace bullying and that all staff at the ministry deserve a safe and just working environment.
Yesterday, Dr Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry will identify and investigate hospitals with reported cases of doctors getting bullied.