KUCHING, May 14: It is of utmost importance for the Ministry of Health (MOH) to acknowledge the existence of workplace culture and human resources issues in the public health sector.
In pointing this out, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said this would require the input and mobilisation of all stakeholders to ensure all corners are covered and that this issue is appropriately addressed as it does involve not only the welfare of healthcare workers but also the quality of care to patients.
“It is also necessary to have the political will to implement a strict zero horizontal violence policy in all workplaces to curb any toxic environment and even violence among all healthcare workers,” he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, Dr Yii welcomes the announcement by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on the formation of the Healthcare Work Culture Improvement Task Force (HWCITF) by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to investigate the recent death of a house officer.
However, for the committee to be more inclusive and comprehensive, Dr Yii suggested that the committee include house or medical officer representatives and even medical non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to be in the task force to give their input and verify issues on the ground.
He said that representatives from the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), especially from their Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists (SCHOMOS), who have been consistently fighting for the rights of young doctors, must be included.
He also said representatives from Malaysian Medic International (MMI), who mainly represent young doctors and housemen, should also be allowed to offer their input.
“On top of that, once the report of the task force is completed and recommendations made, I urge the minister to also table it in the Special Parliamentary Select Committee of Health Science and Innovation to get a bi-partisan input and endorsement to boost public confidence to better address this issue as it is of huge public importance,” he said. — DayakDaily
