Dr. Tay Tien Yaa, a 30-year-old pathologist, was discovered deceased in her rental home in Sabah on August 29 last year. Her untimely death prompted the formation of an independent task force to investigate potential workplace bullying. Over three months, the task force conducted a thorough investigation, interviewing 19 individuals, including family members and colleagues, to uncover the circumstances surrounding her death.
The investigation revealed that Dr. Tay had started her position at Hospital Lahad Datu in February of the same year. Concerns had been raised by her family about alleged mistreatment by a senior colleague. However, the task force found no evidence of conflict between Dr. Tay and her department head.
“Based on our investigation, no conflict arose between her and the department head. They worked professionally. This can be proven from interviews with their colleagues and subordinates.” – Borhan Dollah
The findings indicated that Dr. Tay experienced extreme work-related stress, significantly contributing to her distress. This pressure stemmed from her relocation from Kuala Lumpur Hospital to Lahad Datu Hospital in Sabah—a move that proved challenging for "a city girl" adapting to a new environment and culture alone.
Notably, Dr. Tay had not filed any appeal to remain in West Malaysia, suggesting she had accepted her transfer despite the challenges it posed. The task force concluded its investigation with a report presented to the Health Ministry, emphasizing work stress as a major factor.
“That’s the finding (after) three months (of) investigation” – YS Tay
In response to the findings, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad vowed immediate action to mitigate work stress within the department where Dr. Tay was employed. He also committed to addressing workplace bullying across healthcare institutions.
“I will take special action to address the issue of limited resources, which was a major factor contributing to the stress and pressure Dr Tay experienced. I will take steps to improve the situation and alleviate the pressure experienced by the Pathology Department” – Dzulkefly Ahmad
Recommendations from the task force include providing enhanced support for healthcare workers posted far from home, ensuring they receive appropriate resources and assistance to adapt to new environments. These recommendations aim to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Dr. Tay's family has been fully briefed on the task force's findings, with Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad expressing his empathy for their plight.
“I fully understand how difficult it must be for the family to process these findings” – Dzulkefly Ahmad
The Health Ministry has pledged full transparency regarding the case, committing to implementing reforms that address both stress factors and resource limitations within healthcare facilities.
Leave a Reply