Detailed probe underway into sexual harassment claim against senior doctor

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health is in the midst of carrying out detailed investigation into the report on sexual harassment allegedly committed by the head of Orthopaedics department of a hospital in the Klang Valley.

Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said he would convene a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, to discuss the issue as it involved female victims.

"We will seriously discuss the matter and we are also carrying out detailed investigations to get to the bottom of this issue," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here today.

Yesterday, a local English daily reported that department head was targetting female housemen whom he felt were powerless against him as he ruled the department with an iron fist and had the power to fail them.

The senior doctor was reported to have a habit of asking housemen to drink with him, and would try to get the housemen drunk while they were out. One of the victims had lodged a police report last October, but to this day, no action has been taken.

In another development, Dr Dzulkefly said there was no new case of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) recorded of late.

However, he said the ministry was informed of a case involving an 11-month-old baby boy who was now receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of Sibu Hospital in Sarawak.

"He is in a stable condition and is improving," he said.

Last Saturday, a toddler aged two years and five months from Kampung Pangtray, Daro in Mukah, Sarawak, died believed to have been afflicted with HFMD.

According to a statement by Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah the toddler came down with fever on Tuesday (July 24) and showed signs of rashes on the palms and feet, as well as ulcers in the mouth the next day.

Clinical samples were taken to ascertain the actual cause of death.

-- BERNAMA