JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Johor Health Department is investigating a complaint involving a doctor who posed for the camera while attending to a patient in labour.

She was seen showing the peace sign , with the patient's private parts clearly visible in the photograph, which has since gone viral.

The photo was taken several days ago by an unknown person.

"Such actions by a doctor is unacceptable and we will get to the bottom of this as soon as possible," said Johor Health and Environment committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat.

Ayub warned medical personnel not to misuse technology, especially during work.

He stressed that the department did not condone such actions, especially when it involved the dignity of patients.

"This is the first time such a case has been reported in Johor," he said.

The doctor, believed to be in her 20s, came under fire as netizens lambasted her for disrespecting the patient's privacy.

Some netizens also urged others to stop circulating the picture as it will cause embarrassment to the patient involved.

It is learnt that the doctor has been serving as a medical officer in the hospital near Taman Mount Austin for the past three years.

Previously, there were complaints of nurses using their mobile phones during working hours at Hospital Temenggong Seri Maharaja Tun Ibrahim in Kulaijaya.