Complainant confidentiality must be ensured, says MMA

PETALING JAYA: Confidentiality should be ensured when addressing complaints from house officers and junior doctors, says the Malaysian Medical Association.

MMA president Dr Mohamed Namazie Ibrahim (pic) said the housemen and junior officers might not air grievances in the pre­sence of others as they feared repercussions.

Dr Mohamed was commenting on Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad’s announcement on July 24 that dialogue sessions would be held with housemen and junior doctors to discuss their concerns at the workplace.

“This is a good initiative by Dr Dzulkefly – and this was not done by the previous ministers,” he said, adding that he hoped this would send a strong message to perpetrators of bul­­lying and harassment.

“The minister should ensure that the identities of those who speak out would be kept confidential.

“Previously, when the Health deputy director-general met the young doctors, it was conducted without the presence of others, including the hospital directors,” he said when contacted.

Dr Mohamed said MMA had received numerous complaints from junior doctors and housemen over abusive language and other threats from their seniors and department heads.

“There were instances when house officers even contemplated suicide,” he said.

“A 24-hour hotline called Helpdoc is available for junior doctors and house officers if they need assistance in resolving work-related issues or even personal matters.”

He added that MMA had counsellors to help and that there were representatives who could assist house officers, medical officers and specialists under MMA in hospitals to investigate work-related issues.

The details of those who used Helpdoc services would remain confidential, Dr Mohamed said, adding that a third-party information sharing was restricted.

Doctors in need can call Helpdoc at 03-4041 1140.