We have to protect our doctors

30th July 2008

We read with interest the recent medical report published online that is likely to shed new light onto the high profile case of sodomy involving a well-known political figure. This has also been widely commented upon in mainstream newspapers. As medical practitioners we urge the relevant authorities to treat this medical report with objectivity in the course of their investigation.

We are also aware that the accuser underwent a second medical examination at HKL. We feel it is imperative that both medical reports form the basis of forensic evidence and be given due weight should this case end up in a trial, unless of course the reputation and credibility of the doctors are in question. This is in light of the previous sodomy charges involving the same political figure 10 years ago where certain medical reports were not allowed to be tendered as evidence when it was in favour of the accused.

We believe that any doctor who has carried out his duty professionally must not be subjected to any form of harassment or intimidation. In view of the fact that this is a very high profile case which may potentially further erode the already blemished reputation of Malaysia’s justice system internationally, the focus of the investigation should be on the veracity of the contents of the said reports and not on the controversy of patient-doctor confidentiality.

We urge the police and the AG’s chamber to either charge the accused according to the rule of law without any undue delay or exonerate him from any charges with immediate effect since justice delayed is justice denied.

Dr Sheik Johari Bux
Dr Farouk Musa
Dr Jeffrey Abu Hassan
Dr Musa Nordin

I didn't get registered- yet

Dear Doctor Mohamed Tarmizi,
Thank you for your email.
I’m writing to advise that your application has not been approved at this stage, due to the fact that your IELTS results do not meet the criteria of the current English language proficiency policy. The policy requires that a score of at least 7.0 be achieved in each of the four categories in order to qualify. I have attached a copy of the policy document for your reference.
Before your application for registration can proceed, you will need to re-sit and pass all four components of the IELTS exam.
If you have any further queries regarding this matter, please contact the Registrations Department.
Yours sincerely,
Registrations Officer

It is certainly another sad day for me. My results were considered not good enough for the Australians. FYI, I got 7.5,7.5,6.5 and 9 (full marks) for IELTS. It seems the 6.5 (short of 0.5 for writing was considered a failure). I am certainly “malas” to take the exams again. It is not cheap. I was hoping they would reconsider and make exemptions but unfortunately NOT. May be a 6.5 (for writing) could not assure patient's safety.?.?

Labuan- the 'Forgotten' FT

Once again, I am here to cover the hospital for a few days. We try to come here once a month from Sabah but we don’t have many specialists to juggle around with nowadays. I think Labuan, being part of the Federal Territory should be frequently visited by the so called many ‘I never come out from KL’ specialists from Semenanjung (i.e. KL).

The last O&G they had left the hospital about 2 years ago. At least he stayed for more than 3 years. Unfortunately, I think, his efforts and sacrifices were not appreciated by the people ‘above’. I must say it is not easy for anyone to leave one families in Semenanjung just to work in the ‘district’. If I ‘m not mistaken, early this year, one guy did come (or his UD52) to Labuan but I was told he reported and a day later went back to Semenanjung.

We produce between 10 to 30 O&G specialists yearly but how many are sent to serve the ‘district’? By the way, can we call Labuan (the often forgotten 2^nd Federal Territory as ‘district’ – yes my friend, it came before Putra Jaya). I think the government should make it compulsory for them to come here. Of course they will threaten to resign immediately, so what? Some of their seniors did sacrifice for the good of the country, why can’t they. Why can’t you guys come here and serve for 2 years (the most), then after you buy your low taxed Beemer or Merc, you can always go back. The MOs turnover is also quite fast here. By the way, they only have 9 MOs now. Someone should train and guide them properly.

Ketuanan Melayu

Came back from BTN.
Much was said about Kontrak Sosial and the above matter.
Bottom line, they told us not to question it so much. So, when a minister from the present government brings up the issue again... why tak bising?

my PTK course - a case of penny wise, pound foolish

I just got back from my PTK course recently. Nowadays, it is no longer for 7 days but they cut it to 1 and 1/2 days. One day for lectures and group work and 1/2 a day for group presentation.

Due to budget constraint we were placed in the Youth Hostel/Hotel somewhere near Jalan Robson. Not all of you may know where this Wisma is situated. Don't worry as most taxi drivers don't too. One of our friends ended up being sent to the cemetery.

The accommodation was bad. The room my colleague from Alor Star and I stayed in was run-down. The wall next to my bed was full of ‘fungus’. I was lucky not to have contracted ‘vaginal candidiasis’. It was dusty and dull (only a low powered neon light was illuminating our small room).

The toilet was OK but I have seen better floors in public toilet of the GSCs. The shower curtain was full with black spots and probably never once changed from 1979.

Poor kawan from Alor Star suffered rhinorrhea from the dusty carpet and was unwell the next day. Some rooms had rats ‘visiting’ them at night. I even saw one running across the stage during one of the lectures.

Oh…meals were not that great too. Yes, we did have 6 meals a day but some rather eat out or have tea tarik at the gerai next door. We had ‘uncooked’ nasi lemak on the last day and 'overcooked' nasi ayam for lunch. The tea were all tea bujang.

The organizers had no choice but to pick a cheaper venue after the cabinet announced this new ‘prudent culture’ spending since June. But I heard it was not that cheap to have it in the Wisma also. The amount spent was almost the same (if we had it done in the hotel which they have booked earlier). Besides, the organizers had paid 50% (of the booking fees to the hotel anyway) which went up in smoke (close to RM 19k – gone).

So, you be the judge if such courses can improve our ability to make good decisions as managers.

P.S. someone told me after the course that now we can have such government courses in hotels again…, mmmmmm…. Flippy- floppy.