The ministry cares

However, recent reports appearing in certain newspapers portraying a very generalised negative image of ministry staff and insinuating compromise of professional ethics and values are misleading and deeply disturbing.

The ministry wishes to state that the incidents reported in the articles are isolated, regrettable and represent behaviour not in line with its enshrined values and aspirations. Needless to say, the ministry employs normal public service instruments to deal with cases of misconduct. In addition, most of the ministry's professional staff (nurses and physicians) are members of medical professional bodies that act as guardians of professional etiquette and standards of behaviour and are statutorily mandated to do so. The councils are empowered to carry out disciplinary action against members who commit professional misconduct such as ill-treating or neglecting patients under their care.