Health Minister Acknowledges Negligence In Hospital Death, Apologises To Family

Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai today apologised to the family of 31-year-old A. Seva who died at the Bentong Hospital on April 3 and accepted that negligence had resulted in the demise. The death certificate issued by the hospital however stated the cause of death as 'septicemic shock' and in an incredible lack of professionalism, responsibility and ethics, no post-mortem had been performed.

The deceased's mother had lodged a police report claiming that her son’s death was due to the negligence of hospital employees.

A. Paruwali, 59, claimed her son A. Seva, 31, was healthy before he met with an accident on Jan 22 near Maran, which left him with a broken leg and other injuries.

Paruwali said she was not happy with the explanation given by the hospital. She lodged the report on April 8.

“The hospital employees apologised for my son’s death and told me not to bring up the matter in the open.

“I want justice for my son and the actual cause of death as the hospital had earlier told him he was healthy and his wound was healing fast,” she said, adding that no post-mortem was conducted but they were allowed to claim Seva’s remains after signing some documents.

Yesterday The Star had reported that the Health Minister and Bentong MP Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said he had yet to receive a full report on the matter.

It is to the credit of the minister that he had taken only a day to go through and investigate the whole episode and had openly apologised for the unfortunate incident. He also said that action would be taken against the doctor and nurses involved.

Datuk Liow further added that the Health Ministry will negotiate exgratia payment to the family of A. Seva.

This response from the minister is a welcome change from an earlier time of unaccountability when the charge of negligence, especially from the poor and less educated, would have been perfunctorily dismissed and the chapter closed, victim's family be damned. Well done Datuk Liow. Now please bring every person responsible for this cruel act to justice.