[UPDATED] Houseman autopsy pending lab results: Penang Health Dept

KUALA LUMPUR – The Penang Health Department today said it expects to soon have the full post-mortem report on a junior doctor who died from a fall recently.

Department Director Dr Ma’arof Sudin said the autopsy was carried out by the forensic department of the Penang Hospital, where the victim was serving as a houseman, and the report is pending several laboratory results.

“The final report will be submitted to police to assist in their investigation,” Dr Ma’arof said in a statement.

The department confirmed that the victim began placement at Penang Hospital on April 4, some two weeks before the body was found outside the multi-storey residence building on April 17.

Dr Ma’arof said the department and the hospital will give their full cooperation to police, who are investigating the incident.

This is believed to be the second death involving a junior doctor in Penang.

In December 2020, The Vibes reported that a doctor who had resigned from the same hospital had died suddenly.

The latest incident triggered an outcry among medical practitioners, who urged the authorities to look seriously into the matter instead of dismissing it as a “common” issue.

Several doctors, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the issue, said bullying in the medical fraternity is a pervasive problem.

Earlier today, a Penang state executive councillor said the Health Ministry must investigate the matter and ensure better working conditions at public healthcare facilities.

In a separate statement, the Malaysian Medical Association called on all parties to respect the privacy of the family and avoid sensationalising the incident while the authorities carry out their investigation.

The association also urged healthcare professionals experiencing personal issues to reach out to the HelpDoc support group for doctors. – The Vibes, May 4, 2022