M’sian doctor refuses MC for mum to care for sick child, sparking netizen debate over rules vs empathy in healthcare.
A Malaysian doctor recently shared his frustration online after a mother called him “cruel” and threatened to report him for refusing to issue a medical certificate (MC) for her to care for her sick child.
In a post on Threads, the doctor explained that the woman visited his clinic, explaining that her child was suffering from a fever and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).
“Got scolded by a patient’s mom because I wouldn’t give her an MC to take care of her child.
“Not the child’s MC, mind you. The MC for the mother herself.
“She called me cruel and heartless and threatened to report me via the Public Complaints Management System (Sispaa),” he wrote.
“Her child has a fever and URTI at a kindergarten. Okay fine, I could give an MC for the child. But it’s kindergarten—what’s the point of that?
“Why would I give an MC for the mother on behalf of her child?
“Her excuse: the HR department had already closed for leave applications.
“I don’t know… people these days are just so entitled. I’m tired, honestly.
“Still waiting for that SISPA complaint.
“Do as you wish, ma’am. I’m just a simple doctor, and I’ll do my job and nothing more. After my shift, I go home to spend time with my own kids and wife.
“I’m tired of dealing with people who act like this. Someone else is sick, yet you’re desperate to get an MC for yourself.
“If you’re too lazy to go to work, just tell your boss. It’s simple, no need to twist things around.
“Think a little about the blessing of your salary,” the post read.
Netizens were divided in their reactions. Many felt that while the doctor technically did the right thing, he could have shown more empathy.
“Give an MC in the child’s name for the mother—she has supporting documents for emergency leave, etc. Maybe you should at least offer this option,” one user called weirdfulmom suggested.
“The kid is genuinely sick, right? You’re not a “stupid doctor,” you’re just a doctor with no empathy. Even if the child is in kindergarten, just give the MC to the patient since the kid deserves it. The mother can figure things out with her employer,” alin_khairil_ghey opined.
Another user called sepsepseptomtomtom wrote: “Doc… pre-K kids don’t need an MC to be absent. A mom can just call and say, “Hello teacher, Nur is sick today” — settled.
“URTI episodes can happen often. One child is manageable, but if you have two or three kids, your annual leave runs out very quickly. I remember once a paediatrician gave me an MC and said, “Take care of your son. He can’t go to school — who’s going to look after him?” That was empathy.
“Rules are made by humans. And sometimes, being humane matters just as much.”
