THE death of a houseman attached to Penang Hospital is currently being investigated by police, the Penang Health Department said today.

Its director Dr Ma’arof Sudin said police have ordered a post-mortem to be conducted, which will be performed at the Forensic Department in Penang Hospital.

“A complete report of the investigation is still awaiting some laboratory test results. The final report will be submitted to the police to assist their investigation.

“As this case is still under investigation by the police and out of respect for the family of the deceased, the state health department requests the cooperation of all parties not to speculate and spread unauthentic information about this incident,” Dr Ma’arof said in a statement today.

It was reported by news portal The Vibes yesterday that the houseman died after falling from an office building along Jalan Datuk Keramat in George Town.

The state department confirmed that the deceased was stationed at Penang Hospital on April 4, 2022, and was found dead on April 17.

Several lawmakers have urged the Health Ministry and its minister Khairy Jamaluddin to look seriously into the matter.

Penang health exco Norlela Ariffin today urged the ministry to look into the work conditions of junior doctors at government hospitals, claiming many of them are subject to “inhumane” work conditions.

Meanwhile, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy said he believes the doctor who fell to his death was a victim of bullying and humiliation.

He urged the authorities not to simply treat the latest fatality as “sudden death” and noted there have been allegations of trainee doctors being bullied and harassed at the same hospital. – May 4, 2022.