KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong urged the government today to provide a substantial ex-gratia payment to the family of Dr Tay Tien Yaa, following the pathologist’s death from suicide.
An ex-gratia payment is made voluntarily to an individual by an organisation, government, or insurer for damages or claims, but it does not require admission of liability by the party making the payment.
“This gesture would not only offer financial relief, but also serve as a tangible acknowledgement of the invaluable contributions made by Dr Tay and the immense hardship endured by their family in the absence of adequate systemic support,” Khoo said in a statement.
The member of the parliamentary special select committee on human rights, election and institutional reform also expressed his disappointment that an independent task force formed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to investigate Dr Tay’s death – chaired by former Public Service director-general Borhan Dollah – would only take effect on October 10.
“This delay in forming an independent taskforce raises serious concerns regarding the Ministry’s commitment to the well-being of health care workers in Malaysia,” said Khoo, a DAP lawmaker.
“Such a prolonged period without decisive action may hinder justice for Dr Tay, and impede the implementation of long-term structural reforms necessary to create a safer environment for patients, caregivers, and health care workers within public health care facilities.”
He said the investigation by the six-member task force must be conducted swiftly and its findings made public. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, in a statement last Wednesday, said the investigation team has been instructed to submit its findings within three months from October 10.
Khoo also told the MOH to review the effectiveness of complaints channels like MyHELP and Sispaa.
“This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder to all health care authorities of the urgent need for systemic reforms. I call for reforms that prioritise the well-being of our health care workers and prevent future tragedies resulting from systemic neglect.”
Khoo further told the MOH to provide support to Dr Tay’s family and colleagues who were affected by the pathologist’s death.
“Mental health resources and counseling services should be made available without delay to help those struggling to cope with the loss.”
The family of Dr Tay, a young specialist doctor in her 30s who headed the chemical pathology unit under the pathology department at Lahad Datu Hospital in Sabah, has sought assistance from MCA, holding a joint press conference with the head of the party’s Public Services and Complaints Department, Michael Chong, last Tuesday.
At the press conference, Dr Tay’s younger brother, Yong Shen, claimed that the UD52 chemical pathologist was made to work 14 hours’ straight daily and that she had complained about her workload and treatment since early August. Dr Tay was found dead in her rental unit last August 29.
Dr Tay’s family lawyer, Dhanaraj Vasudevan, announced taking potential legal action over the specialist’s death.
Not all doctors have expressed empathy with the late Dr Tay. A former O&G department head at Lahad Datu Hospital praised the “extremely comfortable” working environment in the government hospital, saying: “If the working environment at Lahad Datu Hospital was really as toxic as it’s been recently portrayed, I wouldn’t have lasted nearly six years here.”
However, in an unprecedented statement issued yesterday, the Board of Visitors of Putrajaya Hospital denounced “serious deficiencies” and “indifference” towards workplace bullying in the public health service that it linked to Dr Tay’s death.
“Is Dr Tay’s death not enough to alert the higher-ups in hospitals and government? Must we wait for more young doctors to commit suicide and more innocent lives to be lost before we start to address this long-neglected issue?”
The Board of Visitors (ALPH) of public hospitals in the MOH rarely, if ever, issues statements on national issues, beyond commenting on local issues pertaining to its respective hospital.
According to a May 2023 circular by MOH deputy secretary-general (finance) Norazman Ayob, the ALPH, which comprises members of the general public, is meant to function as a liaison between the hospital and its surrounding community to raise awareness about the hospital’s services.
“The hospital’s Board of Visitors is responsible for explaining issues related to the hospital’s service delivery system to the general public from time to time to protect the name and image of the hospital, as well as to avoid negative perceptions in the community,” Norazman wrote.
