Dzulkefly urges MOH seniors to foster healthy workplace to curb bullying

Summary

• Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad urges senior officers, department heads, and consultants to foster a fair and empathetic work environment to curb bullying and exploitation of junior doctors and nurses.

• The ministry has implemented several measures, such as a mental health helpline, workplace bullying guidelines, and the Mental Health and Psychological Support System (MHPSS). 

• Dzulkefly highlights a nearly 50 percent decline in medical graduates remaining in the field since 2019 but noted that only a small percentage leave due to bullying.

PARLIAMENT | Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has urged senior officers, department heads, and consultants to foster a supportive and fair working environment to tackle the bullying and exploitation of junior doctors and nurses.

During the Dewan Rakyat’s question-and-answer session today, Dzulkefly stressed the importance of creating a workplace culture rooted in fairness and empathy to ensure a healthier professional environment.

“The main targets are usually house officers, particularly the newly appointed ones often referred to as young doctors. I want to emphasise once again the importance of creating what is termed an adjusted working environment in healthcare facilities - not just within the Health Ministry but across all institutions.

“This is essential to fostering strong, united, and compassionate teamwork within the healthcare system,” he said.

Earlier, V Ganabatirau (Harapan-Klang) raised a supplementary question, asking the minister to outline mechanisms in place to curb the culture of bullying among trainee doctors and nurses, ensuring they are not exploited by senior officers.

Last month, two medical officers at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Sabah were accused of racism and bullying house officers.

The death of a pathology specialist in Lahad Datu, Sabah last year was also linked to alleged workplace bullying. However, an independent inquiry found that it was not a factor in the incident.

Helpline, guideline improvements

Expanding on the issue, Dzulkefly outlined several measures the ministry has taken, including the establishment of a mental health helpline, the implementation of workplace bullying guidelines, and the enhancement of the Mental Health and Psychological Support System (MHPSS).

Reiterating his call for reform, the minister stressed that while various initiatives have been introduced, the most crucial responsibility lies with department heads, senior consultants, and specialists to cultivate a fair and empathetic workplace culture.

30pct drop in returning medical grads

While the minister did not disclose exact figures, he highlighted a significant decline in medical graduates remaining in the field, with nearly 50 percent fewer in 2024 compared to 2019, when he first took office.

“In 2019, we had approximately 6,300 returning medical graduates from both overseas and local institutions. However, in 2024, the number has dropped significantly to 3,316 - a decline of nearly 50 percent. On average, the drop is almost 30 percent annually.

“The reality is that these individuals are not leaving their careers simply because they are waiting for opportunities - that is no longer the issue,” he said.

Dzulkefly also noted that only a small percentage of medical trainees leave the profession due to bullying.

“I will provide the exact number of those who left their careers due to workplace bullying.

“However, I believe the percentage is relatively small. A more precise figure will be included in my written response,” he added.

Additionally, the ministry aims to appoint 3,000 graduate medical officers who will be placed in 49 graduate training hospitals this year.

“For the first quarter of 2025, the ministry has appointed 1,114 contract medical officers (Grade UD9) to undergo graduate training at 49 such hospitals nationwide,” Dzulkefly said.

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