SUNGAI BULOH: The orthopaedic head of department (HoD) implicated in sexual harassment accusations in a Klang Valley hospital has been suspended for two months.

Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed this at a press conference in a Klang Valley hospital on Tuesday (Sept 18).

Following a two-hour, closed-door meeting with medical officers and specialists at the orthopaedic department in the hospital, Dr Dzulkefly said the move was to allow for investigations to take place.

He said the Health Ministry had received a reply from the Public Service Commission that the HoD's suspension was effective Monday (Sept 17).

In July, The Star carried an exclusive report in which house officers alleged that they were bullied and sexually harassed by the HoD.

In response to the article, Dr Dzulkefly asked victims to e-mail him the details of their claims directly, and a committee comprising representatives from both the Health and the Women, Family and Community Development ministries was set up to look into the matter.

On Sept 11, the HoD was reported to have taken medical leave until Sept 18 and the Health Ministry was said to be working to have the HoD suspended and transferred out of the hospital.

The Malaysian Medical Council is also working on getting his medical licence revoked, he said.

"There are also no transfers in the near future," he said, adding that he would try to reduce the 'collateral damage' from the case.

He said he was referring to rumours that an en masse transfer would take place among specialists in the hospital.

On Sept 10, The Star carried a front page report about specialists who said that they had received telephone calls from an official that all the staff in the orthopaedic department would be transferred.