Healthcare worker’s death sparks public dispute between TTSH and Red Dot United’s Ravi Philemon

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The sudden death of a 34-year-old healthcare worker at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) has sparked public controversy, with Red Dot United Secretary General Ravi Philemon alleging that severe fatigue and work-related stress may have contributed to her passing.

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TTSH, however, has publicly refuted his claims, describing them as inaccurate without clarifying key details. The dispute has raised questions about workplace stress in Singapore’s healthcare system and the hospital’s handling of the incident.

On 26 January 2025, Philemon posted on Facebook that a resident had informed him of the tragic incident involving the healthcare worker, who had joined the profession through Singapore’s Professional Conversion Programme (PCP).

According to the resident, the worker collapsed in the operating theatre from fatigue, was granted three days of medical leave, and requested an extension due to continued illness. That request was allegedly denied, and she passed away shortly after returning to work.

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The resident, who initially feared coming forward, eventually shared the story out of concern for the wellbeing of healthcare workers.

Philemon highlighted that her reluctance reflected a larger issue. “We owe it to those who dedicate their lives to caring for us to ensure they are not overburdened or put at risk themselves,” he said, calling for systemic reforms to prevent overwork and burnout in high-pressure professions.

Philemon contacted TTSH on 13 January to verify the claims and was assured by the hospital’s CEO that the matter would be investigated.

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According to him, TTSH confirmed certain facts on 22 January, including that the worker had collapsed while on duty, was treated, and was given medical leave. Her supervisor monitored her wellbeing after she returned to work. However, the hospital stated that some details shared with Philemon were inaccurate.

In its 31 January Facebook post, TTSH accused Philemon of misrepresenting the situation and criticised him for publicising the issue without the family’s permission.

“His account is inaccurate. Mr Ravi Philemon has not been asked, or given permission by the family of our late colleague, to raise the issue publicly,” TTSH wrote. “We will not disclose further information about our colleague, except that his account is inaccurate, and he should not have put up a public post on our late colleague.”

The hospital also urged the public to avoid sharing “unverified information” that could cause “unnecessary distress to her family, friends, and coworkers during this time of grief.”

Philemon responded the same day, arguing that TTSH’s private email correspondence on 22 January had validated key aspects of his post, including the worker’s collapse and subsequent treatment. He accused TTSH of failing to specify what parts of his account were inaccurate. “Had they at least pointed out to me the parts of my post that were inaccurate, I would have gladly made the necessary changes,” he wrote. “They did not do so.”

He also criticised the hospital for not addressing whether the worker had requested an extension of medical leave or if that request had been denied. “TTSH did not confirm in their private email the validity about whether the staff member was granted an extension of her leave despite her continued illness,” Philemon stated. “Had they done so, I would have included their assurances in my post.”

The Online Citizen (TOC) sought clarification from TTSH regarding key details of the case through an email sent on 27 January. Our questions focused on the number of days of medical leave granted to the deceased healthcare worker and whether she had requested an extension that was subsequently denied. As of 31 January, TTSH has not responded to our inquiry.

Public reaction to TTSH’s statement has been mixed, with some commenters criticising the hospital’s lack of transparency. One commenter questioned the broad nature of TTSH’s denial. “Just by blanketing his entire account with the term ‘inaccurate’ and subsequently shoving down on everyone such well-crafted phrases like ‘could cause unnecessary distress,’ this is tantamount to silencing not just Mr Ravi Philemon but also the whistleblower,” he wrote.

Lawyer Yeoh Lian Chuan described TTSH’s statement as a “bald denial with no explanation at all,” calling on the hospital to provide a clearer response.

Philemon reiterated his broader call for reforms to protect healthcare workers from excessive stress and fatigue. “The death of one healthcare worker is already one too many,” he said, urging the Ministry of Health to conduct a review of staff workloads, establish anonymous reporting channels, and enhance mental health resources.

The incident also underscores a broader concern about workplace stress and incivility within Singapore’s healthcare system.

A national survey involving 486 healthcare professionals in Singapore found that nearly 95% had witnessed some form of disruptive behaviour, including incidents of rudeness, intimidation, and harassment.

These behaviours, often exacerbated by high-stress environments and hierarchical power dynamics, were strongly linked to negative outcomes such as reduced staff morale, higher turnover, and increased medical errors. The study’s findings emphasised the need for systemic reforms, including deterrent measures, leadership involvement, and organisational empathy to address burnout and prevent workplace conflicts.

Despite TTSH’s emphasis on its staff wellbeing programmes, the lack of answers to critical questions continues to fuel public concern. Philemon warned that the incident was a “powerful reminder of the human cost of fatigue and overwork in high-pressure professions,” adding that more proactive measures are needed to protect frontline workers.

The case underscores the tension between calls for transparency and the hospital’s obligation to protect the privacy of the deceased and her family. As the debate unfolds, the incident has highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare workers, particularly in high-stress environments where burnout remains a significant risk.



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