'Housemen not over-worked in hospitals'

The Health Ministry has not received formal complaints from any trainee doctor (housemen) about stressful work conditions in government hospitals, said director-general Dr Ismail Merican.

He countered that, to his knowledge, some hospital wards have too many trainees who end up being under-worked.

He was asked to comment on an issue frequently raised in the 'Letters' forum of newspapers. These have highlighted work shifts for up to 36 hours if the houseman is on call - and there have been claims that call-duty could go on for 15 days a month.

Reporter: Aidila Razak & S Pathmawathy
Editor: Lydia Azizan
Camera: Amir Abdullah