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September-October . 2024 | The HEALTH
Contents 05
P20 From code to cure AI crashes the Parkinson ’ s party !
P21 Keyhole procedures Understanding knee and shoulder arthroscopic surgeries
P22-23 Why we forget The brain stores the event as if it is a jigsaw puzzle
P24-25 Under the sun The impact of heat waves on children
P26-27 A rare autoimmune disease that attacks the muscles Elisa Glass was diagnosed with dermatomyositis , which causes severe muscle weakness throughout the body . She shares her story
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The HEALTH says ...
Stop medical bullying
THE recent death of a specialist doctor in a Sabah hospital has brought renewed attention to the toxic work culture in Malaysia ’ s public hospitals . Allegations of bullying being a factor in the doctor ’ s death have left many in shock , with calls for a full investigation growing louder .
Sadly , this is not an isolated case . It reflects a more significant , widespread problem of harassment that many doctors face across the country .
Bullying in public hospitals is not new or uncommon . A 2023 survey by the Malaysian Medical Association ( MMA ) found that 30-40 per cent of doctors across various States had experienced some form of bullying .
Many are afraid to file complaints , fearing backlash or believing that nothing will be done . This culture of fear makes it difficult to address the problem , leaving many doctors to suffer in silence .
As reported by News Straits Times ( Sept 4 , 2024 ), several doctors in a government hospital in Sabah have faced severe bullying , including threats , public humiliation , and even physical intimidation from their superiors .
In one case , a doctor shared how her boss threatened to stab her for not following orders that went against medical guidelines . Another doctor spoke of how she and her colleagues were humiliated in front of patients , while some were forced to follow questionable treatment methods .
Despite these severe issues , complaints to hospital management were often ignored , and the situation remained unchanged .
Why are these conditions allowed to persist in a system meant to heal and save lives ? One reason could be the overwhelming workload and rigid hierarchy in public hospitals , which can create a breeding ground for abuse .
Junior doctors , in particular , are at risk . The MMA survey found that 60 per cent of junior doctors work overtime every day , often with little to no support . This immense pressure makes them vulnerable to bullying by those in positions of power .
What makes matters worse is the lack of accountability . While the Ministry of Health ( MoH ) has set up task forces in the past to address bullying , there has been little action or improvement .
The sharp rise in resignations among junior doctors in recent years shows that many are leaving due to this toxic environment , adding more strain to an already overstretched healthcare system .
Immediate action is needed to fix this . The MoH must investigate not just individual cases but also tackle the overall culture in public hospitals . Clear policies , a reliable complaint system , and protection for those who speak up are essential .
Doctors , especially those just starting their careers , deserve a safe and supportive place to work . If the issue of bullying and harassment is not addressed soon , the healthcare system will continue to suffer , and the very people who dedicate their lives to saving others will remain at risk .