The Health Ministry (MOH) has formed an independent special task force to investigate the death of a pathologist in Lahad Datu, Sabah, who allegedly committed suicide.
MOH Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the task force would be headed by former Public Services Department Director General Borhan Dollah and would comprise five other independent members.
“The five are not from the ministry but have extensive expertise in the fields of medicine, psychiatry, pathology as well as mental health and bullying.
“They are former Science, Technology and Innovation Secretary General Dr Hamisah Tapsir, former MOH Deputy Director General Dr Azman Abu Bakar, former judicial officer Fazin Mahmud, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre senior pathology consultant Dr Looi Lai Meng and senior psychiatry consultant Dr Chan Lai Fong.
Dr Tay Tien Yaa, a pathologist at Lahad Datu Hospital, Sabah, died on Aug 29. Her sister claimed that bullying might have been one of the factors that led to her death.
This prompted the Malaysian Medical Association to urge MOH and state health department to expedite a thorough investigation into the matter, as it expressed concern over the mental health and wellbeing of doctors in the public healthcare system.
Dr Dzulkefly said the task force would look into the work culture at the hospital and also analyse the findings of investigations into the doctor’s death.
“The task force will also determine whether bullying exists at the hospital, specifically in its pathology department.
“At the same time, it will also identify the type of bullying that typically occurs in government hospitals as well as factors that may contribute to it, and prepare a report of its findings and recommendations within three months,” he added.
