Doc in the spotlight urges staff to vouch for him

PETALING JAYA: The department head of a hospital in the Klang Valley, who is embroiled in allegations of sexual misconduct against female housemen, is asking his staff to sign a letter vouching for his work record.

It is understood that the senior doctor had on Tuesday instructed a member of his medical staff to write a letter in support of his perfor- mance as the chief of the hospital’s orthopaedics department.

A draft of the petition, which was sighted by The Star, is addressed to the independent inquiry body investigating the matter.

The body comprises representatives from the Health as well as the Women, Family and Community Development Ministries and other relevant agencies.

Sources said he had asked medical officers and specialists under him and nurses to sign the letter.

The sources added that he had called up some of the staff the night before to urge them to endorse his leadership.

The letter states that under his stewardship, the hospital’s orthopaedics department has had an excellent track record and is well respected by all.

Since Sunday Star front-paged a report about the man’s alleged sexual harassment against female housemen at the hospital, a number of victims have come forward to talk about their experiences, according to the Health Ministry.

The department head is said to have gone on leave indefinitely after the media reports.