Sharing an uplifting story THE STAR,

OF late, our newspapers have been carrying reports and letters to the editor on the negative perception of house officers, soon-to-be house officers and even medical students towards housemanship training and the supposedly difficult life involved. When these reports or letters are published, a few senior doctors would come in to rebut the views and criticise the house officers for sulking.

I am often critical of about 20% of house officers who have major attitude problems besides poor basic knowledge. It’s nothing personal; it’s purely because their problems affect my patients’ wellbeing.

However, I want to share a fantastic experience with an extraordinary house officer who could be an inspiration not only to fellow house officers but even to some of us senior doctors. I also believe that if I have time to complain about difficult house officers, I should have time to compliment the good ones too.

About five months ago, a group of new house officers reported to me early in the morning. After I briefed them of the department’s expectations of house officers and our role in training fresh graduate doctors to become competent medical officers, all but one walked away to their respective wards.

She approached me hesitantly and said: “Can I ask you a favour?” Ah, I thought, here’s another house officer who is going to ask for long leave at the beginning of her posting.

I was in for a surprise because she asked if I would allow her to teach the children in the ward, help them with their homework and read stories to them during her free time.

Taken aback by the request, I said: “You are a house officer, right? How are you going to find time?”

She replied that there was enough time for her to complete her work and also help the children. She also promised that it would not interfere with her work.

I gave her the go-ahead thinking she was just trying to impress the head of department.

But I was dead wrong! I never saw her complain or sulk and when she was corrected for a mistake, even a bit harshly, she took it positively and learnt from it.

She finished her night shift, went home for a short break and returned to do what she seemed to enjoy immensely, helping children with reading, etc.

I did not say anything to compliment her until she completed her posting as I wanted to avoid being labelled as a biased head of department.

After she left the department, I asked her what motivated her to do what she was doing. This is what she said: “What motivates me to do community work is actually passion. I started out as a volunteer at various homes when I was 18 years old, right after my SPM. Since then, I just couldn’t stop as I found so much joy and happiness in serving others. I enjoy spending time with children at the shelter, refugee children, disabled children and the elderly as well.

“The inner happiness that no money can buy is what truly motivates me. The fulfilment when I know I have the ability to make someone else’s day better. My work with various communities throughout the years has taught me so much and I realise the impact it brings; how one small act of kindness can change someone else’s day and, sometimes, life.

“Best of all, I learn something new about myself every day. I also realise that by serving others, I abolish all negative thoughts from my head. All worries anger and sadness disappear when happiness, kindness and fulfilment flow in.

“I have seen so many sad incidents in my life here in Malaysia, in our own orang asli villages as well as refugee homes, and in Africa where basic necessities are not even met. Seeing their condition motivates me further to work hard to be someone (hopefully a paediatrician) in the future and serve them with greater meaning.

“I was in Africa for two months, living with HIV-positive orphans in Kenya as a volunteer teacher. My trip there was an eye-opening experience and I saw things I could never have imagined. I vowed to myself that I would go back one day and make a difference. In a nutshell, I believe our destiny in life is to serve others and make others happy. By doing so, without you realising it, you will find your own true happiness.”

Well done Dr Lim Yew Lyn! I hope to see you as a paediatrician within the next few years!