Heart and Soul: From surviving to thriving


The writer (front) with (standing, from left): Vyjeeta, Po Ting and Chok How. (Seated, from left): Edel, Dr Lily and Carmen. Photo: Alex Chong Wei Hern

Heart & Soul

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“How's your work?”

“Still surviving...” – That’s the most common answer we give when someone asks about our job.

For me, it’s a different story. When people ask me, my answer is, “I’m thriving!” That’s exactly how I feel about my current job.

Three years ago, I was posted to Hospital Bukit Mertajam (HBM) as a psychiatrist after completing my specialist training in my hometown, Alor Setar. Initially, I had applied for Alor Setar as my placement to settle down, but when the results came out, I was disheartened. I had been on the move for the past 10 years – returning from Indonesia after graduation, being posted to Sibu as a medical officer (MO), and then undergoing specialist training in Ipoh and Penang.

I craved stability, a chance to build my social circle and pursue my passions. But as they say, God’s plan isn’t always ours.

Nevertheless, I accepted the posting. HBM, a district hospital on Penang’s mainland, has a history dating back to 1890. My first impression was that it was an old hospital with limited amenities. On my first day, I met my Head of Department (HOD), Dr Yushada. She was a stern yet compassionate leader who set the tone for the department.

HBM’s psychiatry department is small – just three psychiatrists and nine MOs serving a population of 500,000. Despite its size, the department was well-organised and resourceful. The staff were diligent, responsible, and proactive. Patients’ records were meticulously maintained, and the assistants ensured everything was in order – partly due to Dr Yushada’s strict penalties for non-compliance! This level of discipline meant that patient care was never compromised.

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Dr Yushada also had a systematic approach to assigning responsibilities. At the start of each year, she distributed portfolios to everyone, enabling us to plan and coordinate our programmes well in advance. Regular briefings helped address concerns and resolve problems as a team.

Not long after, I got my own consultation room. When Dr Yushada retired, she even offered me her shaded parking spot. The kindness didn’t stop there – a security guard would make sure I always had a clear path to the parking space when I arrived at work.

A few months later, a close friend from Alor Setar was unexpectedly posted to HBM. Around the same time, KTMB increased the frequency of its northern train services. This meant my friend and I could leave work at 5pm, catch the 5:18pm train to Alor Setar, and be home in no time. Even better, our colleague Po Ting always offered to drop us at the train station, just 2km away.

The blessings kept coming. When Dr Lily took over as HOD, she upgraded the clinic significantly. She secured 19 new computers and initiated electronic medical records that integrated with the other hospitals we visited weekly. This eliminated the hassle of missing patient notes and cumbersome paper records.

What I cherish most, however, are the colleagues who became like family – Chok How, Po Ting, Carmen, Vyjeeta, and Edel. The bond we built is rare in any workplace.

Chok How, our senior, was a pillar of support. He guided us through challenges and always offered innovative solutions. I’ll never forget his help when I was organising the Psychiatrist Trainee Exam course. With a tight budget and a month to prepare, I was overwhelmed, but Chok How helped find hotel rates and crafted a workable plan.

Carmen and Po Ting readily covered for me whenever I took leave, and they were indispensable during team lunches and events. Carmen liaised with pharmaceutical companies for collaborations, while Po Ting constantly shared clinical ideas. Vyjeeta and Edel, too, were wonderful collaborators and confidants. Our transparency with one another fostered a genuine camaraderie, whether we were discussing childcare, property investments, or career progression.

Now, as I prepare to embark on a new chapter in Singapore, I look back on these humble beginnings with immense gratitude. The greatest blessings in life aren’t material wealth but the people who walk alongside us.

Because of them, I step forward, ready for new challenges, with cherished memories and friendships that I’ll carry with me always.

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