KOTA KINABALU: The state Health Department director has denied that an elderly woman was denied treatment at Kota Marudu Hospital, located more than two hours from here.
Dr Maria Suleiman, responding to a viral video taken by a third party not related to the woman, stressed that the hospital adhered to procedure without neglecting the patient’s care.
“The video circulating on social media made serious claims about the treatment provided to the elderly patient.
“However, following an internal investigation, we can confirm that the patient was treated according to our standard procedures,” Dr Maria said in a statement on Monday (Feb 17).
Reports from Kota Marudu Hospital indicated that the patient arrived at the Emergency and Trauma Unit between 9am and 10am on Feb 6, accompanied by her family.
After a clinical assessment, the patient was classified as Green Zone, meaning non-critical, and was advised to seek treatment at the outpatient department.
“The family was fully informed of the outpatient procedure, including registration and the waiting system. They opted not to proceed with registration and instead sought private medical care,” Dr Maria explained.
Following the viral video, she personally contacted the patient’s family, expressing concern and offering further treatment if required.
Dr Maria also stated that the family confirmed the individual who filmed and shared the video was not known to them.
The video was subsequently removed from social media at the family's request.
Dr Maria reiterated that the department is committed to delivering high-quality healthcare services and that the triage system used in all Health Ministry facilities prioritises patients who require immediate care.
“We are fully aware of public concerns and are continuously working to improve our service delivery and triage efficiency. We are also increasing public awareness of our procedures,” she added.
Dr Maria urged the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid spreading unverified content that could lead to confusion.
“Any complaints about healthcare services should be channelled through official channels to ensure appropriate action is taken,” she said.
She concluded by reaffirming the department’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services and ensuring that all patients receive the best possible care.
