Kuala Lumpur – The Ministry of Health (MOH) has clarified reports on the medical treatment accorded to jailed opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The following is the full text of the press statement released by Director General of Health Malaysia, Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Bin Abdullah, in respect of the allegations raised by Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah:-
“The Ministry of Health (MOH) wishes to refer to the Malaysian Insider article titled ‘Drop specialist treating Anwar, says Nurul Izzah of witness in sodomy trial’ on 26th September 2015 and our press statement titled ‘Medical Treatment for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’ released on 22nd September 2015. We are aware of the many statements to the media made by the various parties involved in this high-profile case.
As mentioned to the media previously by his family, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (DSAI) has a chronic right shoulder injury that now requires medical attention. This injury was sustained 2 years ago prior to his current imprisonment. He also has been diagnosed with various other chronic medical conditions as cited by his family to the press.
DSAI’s medical treatment during his current detention is being managed by a team of clinical experts from both the public and private health sectors. This is to ensure he receives the most appropriate treatment for his various chronic medical conditions from the best healthcare professionals in their respective medical fields.
The Panel of Experts treating DSAI consists of 17 clinical experts that are from 8 medical disciplines:
Medicine (2): 1 Senior Consultant Physician and 1 Senior Consultant
Gastroenterologist;
- Orthopaedics (7): 1 Senior Consultant Orthopaedic and Spine Surgeon and 6 Orthopaedic Consultants in Arthroscopy and Sports Surgery;
Urology (2): 2 Senior Consultant Urologists;
- Dermatology (1): 1 Senior Consultant Dermatologist;
- Neurology (1): 1 Senior Consultant Neurologist;
- Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) (1): 1 Senior Consultant ENT Surgeon;
Dental (1): 1 Consultant Orthodontist; and
Radiology (2): 2 Consultants in Muscular Skeletal Radiology
There is also a senior Physiotherapist assigned to provide the appropriate physiotherapy regime for his chronic shoulder injury. As mentioned in our previous press statement, the Panel of Experts are also allowing an Orthopaedic Consultant from UMMC identified by DSAI’s family to give a second opinion in the medical treatment of his condition.
All clinical management decisions by the Panel of Experts are made collectively, professionally, transparently and without bias. The clinical experts have not denied any treatment and similar to other patients, the treatment plan is reviewed on a regular basis according to the needs of the case.
The Ministry thanks the dedication shown by all the doctors from the public and private sectors who are involved in the management of this case.
We also appreciate the high level of professionalism shown by all healthcare professionals regardless of where they are from in providing healthcare service to their patients and community. This is undoubtedly a demanding profession with high expectations from our clients and requires self-sacrifice, dedication and lifelong benevolence.
We would especially like to remind all doctors to take heed of our Hippocratic Oath to uphold specific ethical standards and never deter from giving good quality healthcare service to our patients.”
