Shocked By Pay-Up Order

I WAS among a handful of government doctors who contracted tuberculosis

while working in a government hospital in 2003.

I had to undergo an operation under general anaesthesia and an

intensive regime of treatment for a year, which included daily

intramuscular injections for a month.

I developed complications after the operation and had a severe reaction

towards the TB regime. I had to return to the clinic almost every week

and was on medical leave for four months.

Upon returning to work, I was asked to reimburse all allowances

amounting to almost RM6,000 that was paid during my sick leave.

I was informed that since I had not been working for more than two

months, my elaun menanggung kerja had been stopped as well (I had to wait

nearly two years before I was entitled to the allowance).

I lost almost RM1,200 a month due to this occupational hazard.

This incident made me wonder about the treatment of government

employees.

It was not my fault that I contracted TB. In other industries,

employees are compensated if they suffer from any work-related

illness/injury, but not in the government sector.

I might still be a government servant today if it were not for the way

I had been mistreated.

Y.M.S.

Kuala Lumpur