Do not speculate on medical officer's death - JKNPP

Penang Health Department (JKNPP) director Dr Maarof Sudin said he was informed that the case was still being investigated by the police.

"Since the case is still under investigation and out of respect for the deceased's family, JKNPP is seeking the cooperation of all quarters not to make any speculation and spread unverified information about the incident.

"JKNPP and HPP will give full cooperation to the police in their investigations into the incident," he said in a statement, here today.

Dr Maarof also extended his condolences to the deceased's family and friends.

He said the deceased who was a graduate medical officer had reported for duty in the state and was placed at HPP on April 4.

"The deceased died after falling from his residential building on April 17 and an autopsy has been conducted at the HPP's Forensic Department," he said.

Dr Ma'arof said the full report would be submitted to the police to assist in their investigations.

Meanwhile, State Agrotechnology and Food Safety, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin, in a separate statement, urged the Health Ministry to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

She said it was believed that the death was the second time such an incident had occurred in less than two years.

"I have raised the issue of illogical working hours faced by doctors as experienced by my family members previously, but the state health department responded that all doctors have to go through the situation," she said.

Yesterday, a news portal reported that Timur Laut district police chief ACP Soffian Santong confirmed that a houseman attached to HPP was found dead after he was believed to have fallen from a building along Jalan Datuk Keramat here.

He said as of now, the case has been classified as sudden death.