Inculcate people skills in those who are in charge

HEALTHCARE frontliners comprising doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, cleaners, ambulance drivers, etc, should be honoured, respected and appreciated. It requires dedication beyond the call of duty to navigate this difficult pandemic era, which our health frontliners have never experienced before.

Doctors at the top level of the chain of command must make sure the morale of their subordinates is high at all times so that they are motivated to deliver their services at optimum level.

But I have heard of junior medical personnel being bullied by their superiors, who include specialists and consultants. These people holding positions of power should conduct themselves professionally both in what they say and do. They should not bring their personal frustrations to the hospital floors and take it out on their subordinates by uttering words that hurt, humiliate, disempower and demotivate them.

Many such officers are found in all hospitals throughout the country. Such unprofessional behaviour could drive their subordinates into depression and helplessness.

I appeal to the Health directorgeneral to look into this matter seriously and to provide counselling or appropriate training to these “professionals”.

This would help to make the hospital floors heaven on earth for their subordinates, who need encouragement and motivation instead of being shouted at or humiliated in front of patients or their colleagues.

I hope the Health Ministry will conduct training sessions for these unprofessional officials to equip them with people skills.

Ego should not get into their head, and they should not use management tactics to hide their flaws, inadequacies and lack of self-confidence.

K. TAMIL MARAN Seremban