GEORGE TOWN: The Health Ministry (MoH) gave its assurance that it will address all bullying cases involving healthcare workers, particularly doctors.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said this included the death of a doctor at Seberang Jaya Hospital, which was said to be the result of bullying.
He said they would not compromise on any bullying cases in any Health Ministry facilities.
"As the minister (Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad) said, this probe is being conducted together with a probe into a similar incident in Lahad Datu. In the Penang case, we have scientific evidence.
"Also, as the minister said, the hospital has an optimum workforce with 25 medical officers at any one time. At the time of the incident, there were 30.
"This means overworking or bullying did not occur. Nevertheless, we are investigating the matter further.
"We are not only looking at Penang. At the national level, we are addressing all bullying cases," he told newsmen here today.
Elaborating, Lukanisman said findings of a task force investigating the suicide of the Lahad Datu Hospital doctor would guide the development of new policies aimed at improving and supporting the mental health of healthcare workers.
"After this, we will think of suitable policies which we can put in place to address all bullying cases involving healthcare workers, particularly doctors. We will not compromise in such cases."