PUTRAJAYA: The exclusion of representatives of house officers (HOs) and medical officers (MOs) from the Healthcare Work Culture Improvement Task Force (HWCITF) is to ensure that matters are addressed and resolved without prejudice or any preconceived notions.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin gave his assurance that the task force would hear the views and feedbacks from all stakeholders including the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists (SCHOMOS) and others to resolve the issue effectively.

He said as such, the argument that the task force is "not inclusive" isn't valid.

"The task force will obtain views and feedback from all parties. We want the task force to produce a report that is free from any preconceived notions and prejudices. 

"This is to ensure that the reports by the task force on the issue would be balanced and fair to all stakeholders," he told reporters here today.

The HWCITF had its first meeting virtually on Mon.

Its chairman, Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir, had in a statement said the task force was briefed on the management of the Graduate Service Officer (GSO) Programme and the recent death of a houseman at the Penang Hospital.

She said that among the key agendas discussed included the HWCITF work action plan that involved relevant parties such as the Health Ministry's health service staff at all levels, professional bodies, agencies, associations and health related non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The HWCTF was set up on May 13 following the death of a houseman attached to the Penang Hospital. The houseman's death had sparked widespread discussion over the working conditions as well as the physical and mental toll on healthcare personnel.

The incident had also sparked a flurry of reports over the presence of a 'bullying culture' involving senior and juniors within the healthcare system.