Kuala Lumpur – In a press statement released yesterday, Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Bin Abdullah Director General of Health Malaysia, has clarified the recent reports on the medical treatment accorded to the jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
The following is the full text of press statement: –
“The Ministry of Health (MOH) wishes to refer to the MalaysiaKini article titled ‘Give Anwar due medical care or face malpractice complaint’ on 15th September 2015 and the meeting on 10th September 2015 between the Director General of Health Malaysia and the family and lawyers of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (DSAI).
As mentioned to the press previously by his family, DSAI has a chronic right shoulder injury that now requires medical attention. This injury was sustained 2 years ago prior to his current imprisonment.
Upon his placement in Sungai Buloh Prison, his medical needs have been attended to by the medical team which also includes visits from a Senior Consultant Physician, a Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Physiotherapist from Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL). In view of the nature of the old shoulder injury, the appropriate clinical management at that point of time was prescribed which were analgesics and physiotherapy.
Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Bin Abdullah
He has also been admitted twice in HKL for a series of medical tests and examinations. The management of his shoulder injury at present is being looked into by a Panel of Experts consisting of a Senior Consultant Physician, a Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, and four Orthopaedic Consultants in Arthroscopy and Sports Surgery from both the public and private medical sectors. This is in order to obtain their expert opinion in the type of treatment that would be deemed most appropriate for the patient.
On 28th August 2015, the Panel of Experts had examined and informed DSAI regarding the available surgical and non-surgical treatment options for his condition.
Advantages, disadvantages and risks of each option were explained. Following the meeting between the family and lawyers with the Director General of Health on 10th September 2015, an Orthopedic Consultant in Arthroscopy and Sports Surgery and a Physiotherapist from HKL were sent to Sungai Buloh Prison on 11th September 2015 whereby another physical assessment was done and explanation given regarding available treatment options. His physiotherapy regime has also been reviewed. The panel of experts have also agreed to allow an Orthopedic Consultant from UMMC identified by DSAI’s family to give a second opinion in the medical treatment of his condition.
A meeting with DSAI’s family members was held on 21st September 2015 involving the Orthopaedic Consultant who examined DSAI on 11th September, the Director of HKL and the Senior Consultant Physician heading the Panel of Experts. During the discussion, questions and concerns were addressed regarding the clinical findings, the advantages, disadvantages and risks of available treatment options and post operative recovery if surgery is chosen to be the next course of action.
A collective final decision has yet to be made by the patient and family members pending an assessment by the Orthopedic Consultant from UMMC.
We would like to thank all the healthcare professionals from the public and private sectors who have been involved in this case for their commitment and professionalism. The Ministry would like to emphasise that patient safety and quality of healthcare is of paramount importance; regardless of religion, race, creed or political affiliations.”
