Sister of Late Doctor Icha Graduates as Physician Amidst Grief

Amidst the grief that still envelops the family of the late Dr Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni, known as Dr Icha, whose body was laid to rest on Monday (29/6), her younger sister, Tiara Maharani Dwi Pakaenoni, graduated and received her medical degree on Tuesday (30/6). Dr Tiara was one of 12 graduates from the Faculty of Medicine at Nusa Cendana University (Undana) in Kupang. “The sadness is greater because today was supposed to be a happy day for me, my sister Icha, our parents, and our sibling, but everything has changed,” Tiara said at her home after the graduation ceremony. She could not hide her grief, noting that their family of five is now only four. “This is very painful for me, that today was supposed to be a happy day for our family, but everything has changed,” she added. Tiara said her late sister had been her greatest motivator during her medical studies and always helped her with her coursework. “I hope I can become a trustworthy doctor who carries out the profession according to my duties and continues the baton from my sister Icha,” she said. Before the incident, Tiara had told her sister about the graduation date, and Dr Icha had promised to give her a bouquet of flowers as a sign of pride. Instead, Tiara had to give flowers to her late sister. The intimidation that led to Dr Icha’s suicide has also traumatised Tiara, but she hopes to learn from her sister’s dedication to serving patients with compassion and according to standard operating procedures. Dr Icha was found dead by suicide at her home on Friday (26/6) after allegedly suffering severe depression and psychological distress due to intimidation by three members of the Timor Tengah Utara Regional House of Representatives on 13 June. The case is being handled by the TTU Police.