Hartal Doktor Kontrak renews call to end bullying culture in public healthcare
Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 Text Size: Stills from the video. KOTA KINABALU: A medical pressure group has recently revealed that a trainee doctor at a hospital in Tawau suffered severe mental health issues after enduring prolonged workplace bullying. According to Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK), the junior doctor was repeatedly targeted by the same senior colleague during his or her housemanship. The group claimed that the situation left the doctor deeply depressed and isolated, confined to his or her room for years and unable to return to the medical field. In a Facebook post, HDK shared a video showing the condition of the doctor's room, which they say reflects the long-term impact of the trauma he experienced. HDK said the junior doctor's case is one of many stories they have gathered since launching their #stopworkplacebullying campaign three years ago. They noted that some healthcare workers have suffered such extreme distress from workplace bullying that they contemplated suicide. The Health Ministry had since set up a special task force – HWCITF – to investigate workplace bullying and recommend improvements, with HDK invited to contribute input. HDK voiced support for Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad's planned launch of anti-bullying guidelines for public hospitals and clinics this October. The group said they hoped such policies would help create safer, more respectful workplaces not just within the Health Ministry, but across all sectors. Netizens reacting to the post shared sympathy for the victim and raised concerns about hospital management practices and workplace culture. In their post, the group also offered an apology to Dr S and other victims it was unable to assist earlier, saying it hoped for lasting change in all sectors. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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