PETALING JAYA: Two cases of trainee doctors being bullied at hospitals in Seremban have been reported.

       Negri Sembilan health committee chairman S. Veerapan said his office received the complaints in March and April.

       In one case, a trainee said he was treated badly by a specialist and had to take leave due to emotional stress.

       "Another one alleged his mentor doctor did not give a fair assessment of his work, believed to be because of miscommunication and personal issues between them," Sinar Harian quoted Veerapan as saying on Tuesday (May 10).

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       He said the state Health Department was told to investigate to see if there were any elements of bullying against the duo for action to be taken.

       Veerapan did not rule out the possibility that other cases had gone unreported.

       "If other trainee doctors feel they have been victims of bullying, they should report it to the authorities for further investigation.

       "The bullying culture should not exist in the medical profession and teaching and training is not a licence to bully. Professionalism should be practiced at all times," he said.

       Veerapan proposed the setting up of an independent body in all hospitals to assess trainee doctors so that such cases could be avoided.

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       It was reported recently that the Health Ministry will set up an independent task force to investigate the death of a trainee doctor at Hospital Penang last month.

       Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the task force will also investigate the allegations of bullying culture affecting trainee doctors in hospitals.