Serdang Hospital did their best under the circumstances, says Selangor Health Dept on allegations of negligence in patient's death

PETALING JAYA: Following allegations of negligence from a late patient's next of kin, the Selangor Health Department has said that the Serdang Hospital's Emergency and Cardiology departments had done their best to treat the patient.

Selangor Health Department director Datuk Dr Sha'ari Ngadiman was responding to a tweet by Samuel Manokaran who said his father had died due to negligence.

"My father passed away my friends last night due to negligence of Serdang Hospital medical staff," he said in a tweet.

On Jan 26, Samuel tweeted that his father, who was being treated for a heart attack, had to wait 17 hours for a bed.

"My father is currently treated at Serdang Hospital Emergency due to heart attack. He was brought in at 4.30am on Jan 26 & till now he is not admitted due to unavailability of beds!!! 17hours!! Reality of government hospitals in Malaysia," the tweet read.

Dr Sha'ari said upon investigation, the department found that the 64-year-old patient was given the necessary treatment at the emergency department and was referred to the cardiology department for further treatment.

"He was placed at the emergency department but under the surveillance of the cardiology department before being shifted to the cardiology ward following bed availability," he said.

He said treatment, surveillance and screening were done on the patient by the cardiology department.

"The patient and the family were briefed by the medical officer treating the patient," he said.

"The patient was scheduled to undergo a heart procedure but his health condition did not permit for it to be conducted," he added.

He added that the patient's condition deteriorated on the day the procedure was supposed to be conducted.

"The cardiology team tried their best to save and resuscitate the patient but he could not be saved," he added.

He added that the hospital had done its duty to provide healthcare service to the best of its ability despite the high patient volume.

"The hospital will contact the family members for a family conference in relation to the late patient's case," he said.

He also extended his condolences to the patient's family.