University VC to head MOH’s workplace bullying task force
Former civil servant Siti Hasimah Tapsir will head the Health Ministry’s task force investigating allegations of toxic work culture in the ministry’s healthcare facilities.
Dubbed the Healthcare Work Culture Improvement Task Force (HWCITF), it will be given two months from its inception to report on its assessments and suggestions for improvement, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“I wish to emphasise that...
Former civil servant Siti Hasimah Tapsir will head the Health Ministry’s task force investigating allegations of toxic work culture in the ministry’s healthcare facilities.
Dubbed the Healthcare Work Culture Improvement Task Force (HWCITF), it will be given two months from its inception to report on its assessments and suggestions for improvement, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“I wish to emphasise that the Health Ministry is very committed in its efforts to the working conditions for healthcare workers in general, and eliminate the toxic work culture in its healthcare facilities.
“I concede this effort will take time to bear fruit, but I wish to emphasise that a conducive and harmonious workplace starts with mutual respect and support with our colleagues.
“Now is not the time to argue; now is not the time to point fingers,” he said in a statement today.
Siti Hasimah (above) is currently the vice-chancellor of UCSI University – a private university based in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Prior to this, she served in the civil service for 33 years in various positions including Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry secretary-general and Higher Education Ministry director-general.
Other members of the task force are:
National Sports Council board member Hamidah Naziadin
International Medical University (IMU) pro-vice-chancellor Dr Zabidi AM Hussin.
Lawyer Mohamed Ridza Mohamed Abdulla
University of Malaya psychiatrist Dr Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin
IMU Healthcare CEO Dr Chong Su-Lin
Patients for Patient Safety Malaysia chairperson Manvir Victor
Leadership trainer Sivaramakrishnan Balasubramanian
A representative from the Public Services Department
Terms of reference
Khairy also laid out the task force’s terms of reference.
He said the HWCITF will analyse the ministry’s work culture and human resource management in its healthcare services, including workload, complaints channels, leadership, guidance and training, performance assessment, service delivery, and career opportunities.
It will also analyse the findings of investigations on the death of a Penang General Hospital-based house officer last month, which sparked national discourse on the work conditions faced by the ministry’s healthcare workers.
It will obtain testimonies on the healthcare workers’ work culture and human resource management, including through briefings and engagement sessions with Health Ministry staff, NGOs, and any other party it sees fit.
If necessary, it may appoint consultants to support its work and perform related surveys and analyses.
A house officer from Penang General Hospital was found dead on April 17 after apparently falling from his apartment building.
The suspected suicide occurred just two weeks after the deceased reported for duty at the hospital.
While the case is still under investigation, the incident drew attention to allegations of bullying and toxic work culture in the ministry’s healthcare services when the death was reported in the media in early May.
Issues such as excessively long work hours and the need to reform the training of house officers were also brought up.
After receiving a preliminary report on the death, Khairy had announced on May 6 that he would set up a task force to investigate the death as well as allegations of bullying in the medical fraternity.
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