PUTRAJAYA: Members of the task force looking into the public health sector’s work culture are independent and will not be prejudiced in their findings, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

       The Health Minister noted that claims of the newly established healthcare work and culture improvement task force (HWCTIF) being not inclusive should not arise.

       “The task force consists of experts who are not from the hospital field.

       “This is to ensure that the group can produce an independent report that does not come with preconceived notions or prejudice,” he told reporters at the Health Ministry’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri openhouse at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here.

       He also gave assurance that the views of all stakeholders, including healthcare groups and associations, would be heard by the task force.

       The HWCTIF was formed following claims of bullying of trainee doctors, which is said to have led to the death of a houseman from the Penang Hospital.

       Headed by former Science, Technology and Innovation secretary-general Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir, the task force had been assigned to come up with an analysis and evaluation of work culture and human resource management in the public health sector.

       But healthcare groups had raised concerns on the lack of representation, especially among junior doctors and healthcare workers in the task force, which could result in the evaluation and recommendation reports not fully reflecting the reality.“There is no need for junior doctors to be on the task force in order for it to function properly and to gather detailed insight on the work culture,” said Khairy.

       “The task force has given its assurance that views from all groups, including the Malaysian Medical Association, will be sought.”

       On another matter, he said the ministry would be expanding the usage of the antiviral drug Paxlovid to private hospitals, clinics and teaching hospitals.

       The drug, used to treat Covid-19, was previously only used in health clinics and government hospitals.

       Khairy said so far, 405 Covid-19 patients had been given the drug and all of them had fully recovered.

       “This medicine is given to those at high risk, such as the elderly and those with comorbidities. We will expand the group that can receive this medicine,” he said.