Social media personality and doctor, Dr. Malar Santhi, received the Exemplary Employee Award at the 2023 Labours Day Celebration held at the Putrajaya International Convention Center last Monday.

She expressed her disbelief that her efforts in sharing medical knowledge on social media, in addition to her duties as a doctor at the Emergency Department of Columbia Asia Hospital, were recognized and honoured.

She also thanked the government for the acknowledgement.

@drmalarss PCOS ialah keadaan dimana wanita mempunyai kitaran haid yang pendek, panjang atau tidak lazim. Jom kite dengar apa kata pakar dengan keterangan lebih lanjut. Kalau uolls semua ade masalah ni ce komen skit kat bawah. #sahi2 #hospitalcolumbiaasiacheras #sakitapahariiniseason2 original sound - Celoteh Dr Malar

For the unfamiliar, Dr Malar is widely known for her expertise in sharing various information related to the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccines, and health issues through social media in the Malay language.

Hospital Columbia Asia tu private hospital. Keje macam nk mati pun, gaji sebulan pun bleh tahan 4-5 bulan hidup

Jauh benar beza workload emergency department hosp gov yg gaji jauh lg kurang n lg sibuk

Tweet sebegini mmg sengaja mengundang makian n kecaman pic.twitter.com/gBByoJj5lQ

— MakLampirBeraya (@ArwahMaklampir) May 2, 2023

However, a small group of netizens were dissatisfied with the recognition given to Dr Malar, as they believed the award should have been given to more deserving medical personnel.

A Twitter user claimed that the award should have been presented to public healthcare workers considering their heavier workload compared to those in the private sector.

Banyak je doktor2 dari ED hospital kerajaan yang layak terima anugerah especially era covid yang keje macam lembu siang malam tup2 anugerah bagi kat doktor hospital swasta sebab dia femes kat tiktok? @DrZalihaMustafa whyyyyyy?

— Mat Piah (@Nindiaaaaaaaaa) May 2, 2023

Several others agreed with this view, stating that the management should have been wiser and more sensitive in announcing the award. They felt that it seemed unfair for the award to be received by a doctor in a private hospital.

Kak zu! Good job. Thank you highlight kan. Staff kkm sendiri jadi mcm anak tiri pulak

— ayohchik_bai (@HeadsUp93) May 3, 2023

Privileged enough to do content while the true workhorses of Malaysian healthcare save the nation.

I'm sure she's a a great doctor but we have great doctors by the hundreds of thousands. We would be ruined if we didn't.

— Love, Sheila (@lilyahya57) May 3, 2023

According to them, healthcare workers in private hospitals receive higher pay and have a lighter workload compared to those in the public sector. Therefore, they have more time to share knowledge with the public compared to healthcare workers in the public sector.

sis, why should u compare? org dh thu la benda tu i rsa.. u tk perlu jelaskan .. but gomen pun had their own advantages as well as private sector.. up to u la kn nk pilih which one suits u more kn.. i think many will agree tht dr malar dpt awards tu.. well deserved.

— my*sweetheart (@bluepink_mint21) May 3, 2023

Saya ok sahaja Dr Malar dapat anugerah. Happy juga. sanggup luang masa untuk menghasilkan konten untuk mendidik rakyat Malaysia. sektor kesihatan swasta juga di bawah naungan KKM. tiada masalah untuk staf swasta seperti Dr Malar untuk dapat anugerah sebegini.

— sufian_the_scribe (@pian_cyberpunK) May 3, 2023

However, many others disagreed with the Twitter user's opinion, stating that anyone can receive the award and there is no need to raise such issues.