An administrative assistant was jailed for 12 weeks on Wednesday for assaulting a doctor who did not give her younger sister a medical certificate (MC).
Nurhayati Shedek, 23, pleaded guilty to slapping the hand of Dr Yeo Chye Luan, 64, grabbing her neck from behind as well as pushing her head down towards a table.
The attack took place in a consultation room at Tampines Polyclinic at Tampines Street 41 on Aug 27 last year.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Selene Yap said Nurhayati and her sister Nur Hazirah, 16, had both gone to the polyclinic for medical consultations.
Nurhayati was attended to by another doctor who gave her a day's MC, but her sister, a student, was not given any by Dr Yeo, who issued her a time chit instead.
When Nurhayati noticed that there was no date on her sister's time chit, she confronted Dr Yeo in her consultation room to find out why. She raised her voice and demanded to know why her sister was not given an MC despite the long wait.
Ms Yap said Nurhayati then threw down the time chit and banged on the table, insisting that Dr Yeo write an MC for her sister. Dr Yeo refused.
When Dr Yeo wanted to pick up her telephone to call for help, Nurhayati stopped her by slapping her on the hand and grabbing her neck from the back. She also pushed the doctor's head forward towards the table.
Dr Yeo was too shocked to shout for help. She managed to break free and rushed out of the room to the patients' waiting area.
But Nurhayati followed her into the area and grabbed Dr Yeo's neck from the back and pushed her head down. This charge was considered during her sentencing.
Dr Yeo escaped by walking quickly towards the main staircase and told a health attendant to inform the registration counter to call the police.
The doctor was treated at Singapore General Hospital the next day for abrasions on her hand as well as tenderness and discomfort on her neck. She was given four days' medical leave.
It is not known what ailments Nurhayati and her sister had sought medical help for. Nurhayati could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000 for causing hurt.
