by Alyaa Alhadjri
KUALA LUMPUR (June 6, 2010): The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has broken its silence and come out in support of the doctor who exposed the plight of orang asli patients at Orang Asli Affairs Department (JHEOA) hospital in Gombak.
MMA president Dr David Quek said the MMA views with "grave concern" the fact that Dr Selvaa Vathany Pillai (pix) continues to face personal inquiries following her allegations against the hospital's management.
"We recognise the right of Dr Selvaa to act as a responsible and caring doctor. She has shown great personal conviction and concern about her role as doctor to an often marginalised minority group in the country, the orang asli," he said in a statement yesterday.
MMA president Dr David Quek said the MMA views with "grave concern" the fact that Dr Selvaa Vathany Pillai (pix) continues to face personal inquiries following her allegations against the hospital's management.
"We recognise the right of Dr Selvaa to act as a responsible and caring doctor. She has shown great personal conviction and concern about her role as doctor to an often marginalised minority group in the country, the orang asli," he said in a statement yesterday.
"That she should place herself in possible jeopardy with regards to her position is to say the least, humanitarian and selfless," he added.
theSun previously reported that Selvaa was transfered by the Health Ministry to a hospital in Kedah in March.
She was also investigated by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and subsequently, received a show-cause letter from JHEOA on April 19.
These occurred in the wake of a press conference held at Bar Council office on Feb 11 at which she made public the allegations agiant the hospital's management.
Quek said that both the show-cause letter and transfer order is a sign that Dr Selvaa has possibly been "victimised and punished unfairly" for her actions.
"Her whistle-blowing regarding possible mismanagement and procedural opacities in the JHEOA hospital must be seen in the light of her noble intentions and empathy to help improve the plight and healthcare of the orang asli," he said.
Quek said that Selvaa's allegations should spur JHEOA and Health Ministry to initiate a full investigation and find a solution for problems.
He said by resolving such problems, the various departments involved would dispel misgivings related to the inefficiency and possible corruption in the healthcare system.
"Such transparency would enhance the image of the government, especially in this era of wanting to transform the economy and the country," he said.
Quek also called upon the authorities to stop using the civil service general orders as a tool to intimidate government officers who exposed shortcomings within the service.
"This is important because such perceived actions would thwart potential whistle-blowers and others from doing the ethical thing in the medical profession," he said. -- theSun
theSun previously reported that Selvaa was transfered by the Health Ministry to a hospital in Kedah in March.
She was also investigated by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and subsequently, received a show-cause letter from JHEOA on April 19.
These occurred in the wake of a press conference held at Bar Council office on Feb 11 at which she made public the allegations agiant the hospital's management.
Quek said that both the show-cause letter and transfer order is a sign that Dr Selvaa has possibly been "victimised and punished unfairly" for her actions.
"Her whistle-blowing regarding possible mismanagement and procedural opacities in the JHEOA hospital must be seen in the light of her noble intentions and empathy to help improve the plight and healthcare of the orang asli," he said.
Quek said that Selvaa's allegations should spur JHEOA and Health Ministry to initiate a full investigation and find a solution for problems.
He said by resolving such problems, the various departments involved would dispel misgivings related to the inefficiency and possible corruption in the healthcare system.
"Such transparency would enhance the image of the government, especially in this era of wanting to transform the economy and the country," he said.
Quek also called upon the authorities to stop using the civil service general orders as a tool to intimidate government officers who exposed shortcomings within the service.
"This is important because such perceived actions would thwart potential whistle-blowers and others from doing the ethical thing in the medical profession," he said. -- theSun
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