162 recorded cases of aggression against MOH staff in 2017

SHAH ALAM: A total of 162 cases of aggression against staff of the Ministry of Health (MOH) were recorded in 2017, an alarming increase over the previous years' figures, said Health director-general, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
According to him, for three years, 2013 to 2015, only 44 cases were reported.
"Last year, there were 64 cases of aggression against medical officers, 60 against nurses and 17 against medical assistants.
"Selangor recorded the highest number of cases at 43, followed by Terengganu and Sarawak with 16 cases each," he said after launching a training module to prevent and deal with aggression against MOH facility staff members, at Shah Alam Hospital here, with state Health director, Datuk Dr Khalid Ibrahim also present.
Dr Noor Hisham said to tackle the problem, MOH came up with guidelines last year to create awareness and as a reference for its staff when facing aggression at their workplace.
When asked whether the ministry would its release staff to vote in the 14th general election this May 9, he said the staff could do so before or after their shift hours.
"For staff on call, they can vote by post. This is the first time MOH staff are allowed to vote by post," he said.
He added that warded patients wanting to vote would be considered for temporary release, depending on their health condition. — Bernama