KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 — Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the government to commit to zero tolerance for workplace violence due to the recent incident that happened at a hospital in Sungai Petani, Kedah where a medical officer was assaulted by a group of men.

Its president, Dr N. Ganabaskaran, in a statement today pointed out the Health Ministry (MOH) had come up not only with guidelines but also a training module on workplace violence for the MOH staff, yet such an incident happened.

"We (MMA) urge that the relevant authorities tighten the security at all hospitals and simultaneously look into the prevention of further violence towards doctors.

"MMA proposes, among the measures, that the government look into a 24-hour police presence at all government hospitals similar to security at a number of other ministries and government departments,” according to the statement.

Dr Ganabaskaran believed such incidents will increase occupational stress and reduce enthusiasm at work, resulting in poorer treatment outcomes.

On Thursday, it was reported that a doctor at a hospital in Sungai Petani, Kedah, had suffered multiple injuries after he was beaten up by a group of men, alleged to be out of jealousy over a woman. — Bernama