BETONG, April 26: Officers of the Health Ministry can do their part to curb violence in their workplace.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said to do so, they must first know what constituted such violence and its issues.
He elaborated that workplace violence could be in physical, verbal and written forms, including postings in the social media.
“They could even be sexual in nature, with the expressed intention of causing bodily or psychological harm to the victims. These threats emanate from the patient or their family members.
“They resorted to behaving as such due to their impatience or being angry due to the overcrowded environment and the heat they faced when at hospitals or clinics and others. Poor communication between the officers themselves is another factor,” he added.
Uggah said this at the Sarawak Nursing Professional Association (SNPA)’s 4th Annual Scientific Conference opening ceremony themed ‘Stop Workplace Violence’, here, today. His text of speech was read out by Betong member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat.
Uggah shared that 44 such cases of violence had been reported at the Malaysian Health Ministry between 2013 and 2015. In 2016, the cases increased to 162.
These, he pointed out, had caused physical and emotional scars to the victims, which prevented them from giving their best service to the rakyat; hence, the corporate image of the ministry would be at stake.
Uggah, thus, urged the victims to report any such incidences to their supervisory officers immediately.
“If there is the need, go for medical check-up, lodge police report or take up legal action,” he advised.
He said their department or their safety and health committee must investigate all reports made.
“I hope family members of patients must exercise patience and adopt give-and-take attitude in all situation,” he added.
Political secretary to the Chief Minister, Dr Richard Rapu, and Betong Divisional medical officer Dr Johnny Pangkas were among those present. — DayakDaily
