KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s health authorities will be closely monitoring the work environment in hospitals and healthcare facilities across the state following the tragic death of a specialist doctor in Lahad Datu.
State Community Development and People’s Well-being Assistant Minister Datuk Flovia Ng announced that the Sabah Health Department (JKNS) would focus on identifying issues related to workplace pressure and bullying among healthcare staff.
“Initiatives to improve work pressure management and support the mental well-being of staff will also be strengthened,” she said in reply to Alias Sani (Parti Warisan-Sekong) during question time at the state assembly sitting yesterday.
Alias had inquired about the state government’s steps to address the matter, which had garnered widespread attention on social media.
Dr Tay Tien Yaa, a pathology specialist at Lahad Datu Hospital, was found dead in her rental unit on Aug 29.
She had been the head of the hospital’s Chemical Pathology Unit and lived alone.
On Oct 1, Dr Tay’s brother, Tay Yong Shen, revealed that the family had discovered troubling evidence in her WhatsApp messages related to her workload and the treatment she received at work.
Flovia stated that the JKNS had conducted an internal investigation into the incident and the findings had been submitted to the Health Ministry.
In addition, she said the Health Ministry formed a special independent task force on Oct 10, chaired by former Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Borhan Dollah, to investigate the case further.
“This task force has been given three months to deliver its findings,” she added.
Alias also raised a supplementary question about whether Flovia’s ministry was collaborating with other state or federal agencies to produce Sabahan doctors.
He pointed out that the shortage contributes to high levels of work pressure among doctors.
“For example, I received information that there are 16 doctors serving in Pitas district, which has a population of 36,000,” Alias said, adding that residents from the interior Sugut and Paitan areas also sought medical care there.
Flovia agreed with Alias’ concern, saying that the state government is keen to ensure that local medical graduates remain in Sabah to help address the healthcare gap.
“However, this is an uphill task if left to our ministry alone. Universities in Sabah could also help in this matter,” she added.
