BETONG: Officers of the Health Ministry can do their part to curb violence in their workplace.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said to do so they must first know what constituted such violence and the issues involved.
He said this when officiating at the Sarawak Nursing Professional Association (SNPA) 4th Annual Scientific Conference opening ceremony on the theme “Stop Workplace Violence” here, yesterday.
Uggah’s text of speech was read out by Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat who represented him at the event.
Uggah added that workplace violence could be in physical, verbal and written forms including postings in the social media.
They could even be sexual in nature, with the expressed intention of causing bodily or psychological harm to the victims.
“These threats emanate from the patient or their family members.
“They resorted to behaving so due to their impatience or being angry due to overcrowding and heat they faced when at hospitals or clinics and others.
“Poor communication between the officers themselves is another factor,” Uggah said.
He also disclosed that 44 cases of violence had been reported to the Malaysian Health Ministry between 2013 and 2015. In 2016 the cases increased to 162.
Uggah said these had caused physical and emotional scars to the victims, preventing them from giving their best service to the people.
The corporate image of the ministry would then be at stake.
Uggah also urged the victims to report such incidence to their supervisory officers immediately.
“If there is the need, go for medical check-up, lodge police report or take legal action,” he advised.
He added that their department or safety and health committee must investigate all reports made.
“I hope family members of patients exercise patience and adopt a give-and-take attitude in all situations,” he said.
A political secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Richard Rapu and Betong divisional medical officer Dr Johnny Pangkas were among those present.
