Help, I am forced to work every day.
I want to lodge a complaint to SisPAA, but I believe they cannot keep the complainant’s identity confidential. Hence, I am calling for help from CodeBlue and those who are reading this letter.
I am writing to raise my concerns regarding the lack of routine weekend off days that I, along with many of my colleagues, am required to endure as a doctor in Sibu Hospital. I am not sure whether it is Sibu Hospital only or if other hospitals in Sarawak practise this working culture of working every day.
I previously worked in Peninsular Malaysia, where you only work during weekdays unless you are on-call on weekends/ public holidays. It is a different story as everyone will rotate to do the on-call on weekends/ public holidays and it is not forced passive call.
But unfortunately, in my current working hospital, every doctor needs to come to work every day, including weekends and public holidays.
Yes, you are paid for passive on-call claims, but who likes to be forced to work excessive hours?
Forcing us to work every day without routine weekend off days is not only physically and mentally exhausting, but also poses safety and performance risks, as well as risks of medical error leading to medicolegal complications.
Since the issue about working hours per week among health care workers has gone quite viral, try to calculate my working hours. It will cause more distress to me, reading the figure.
I humbly request a review of the current working culture and implementation of fair rotation systems to guarantee all doctors receive adequate rest, including routine weekends off to improve overall working conditions and to maintain a sustainable work-life balance.
Finally, I had the courage to ask for help after reading about Dr Tay Tien Yaa’s death, in which Dr Tay’s brother claims his late sister was forced to work excessive hours.
Whoever is reading this, please help me. I don’t like to feel suicidal going to work every day.
CodeBlue is granting the author anonymity as civil servants are prohibited from writing to the press.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, please call the following hotlines:
Befrienders Kuching
Hotline: 082-242 800 (6.30pm-9.30pm daily)
Talian Kasih
Hotline: 15999 (24 hours every day)
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Kuching Bodhi Counselling Centre
Hotline: 082-256 428/ 082-256 429 (Monday and Thursday, 7pm-9pm; Saturday, 9am-11am)
