Dead doc’s family not eligible for compensation

I read this in the Star Today :

The family of young Dr Norbaizura Yahaya, who died two weeks after being involved in an ambulance accident, is not eligible for compensation because she was not confirmed in her post.

MMA president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin said her death raised the issue of young doctors being exposed to occupational risks but not eligible for compensation until they are confirmed in their job.

“Confirmation can take up to two years after reporting for duty and during this period the doctor has to carry out all normal duties in hospital as well as accompany patients on emergency transfer.

“Hundreds of such emergency trips take place each day in all the states under varying road and traffic conditions. Even more dramatic are the mercy helicopter flights,” said Dr Teoh.

On Sept 4, Dr Norbaizura was accompanying a patient in an ambulance from the Seremban Hospital to the Selayang Hospital when the vehicle burst a tyre at the expressway near Bangi and landed in a ditch.

Dr Norbaizura, 24, from Sabak Bernam, went into a coma and died last week. She graduated two months earlier.

Source : The Star

Doc's Comment :

This is really sad. Who do we send on those long nauseating ambulance trips but the most disposable and junior of doctors ... the house officer. Now we know that they are not covered at all...this is totally unacceptable. I would suggest that if the doctor is not confirmed in service yet, he or she should be able to decline the trip. But you and I know this is not always possible as the senior medical officers are the ones who do the real work in the hospital.
Confirmation can take up to 2 years or more, as you have to complete your housemanship and induction. This is at the whims of the office staff that schedule your induction.
I have gone on a lot of those rides and fortunately I have come through unhurt except for severe nausea ambubagging a child from Penang to KL...hoping the oxygen tank does not run out.
If our doctors are not protected...don't even think you can lure those overseas to come back to work here.