PETALING JAYA: The Health Department of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (JKWPKL&P) has clarified that Bahasa Melayu remains the official language used in patient monitoring records at government health facilities.
The department said this following a viral complaint involving the use of a Chinese-language dengue patient monitoring card at Klinik Kesihatan Setapak.
JKWPKL&P said multilingual monitoring cards were also made available at certain clinics as a supporting communication initiative for patients and guardians in high-density areas with dengue cases, depending on language suitability.
“JKWPKL&P wishes to emphasise that the official patient monitoring records are in Bahasa Melayu.
“However, to assist communication and patient monitoring in high-density areas with dengue cases, the clinic also provides monitoring cards in several languages as a supporting communication initiative for patients and guardians according to language suitability,” it said in a statement on Tuesday (May 19).
The department said it viewed seriously the complaint circulating on social media regarding the use of a Chinese-language Dengue Patient Monitoring Record Card at the clinic.
Investigations found that the incident occurred on May 18 and involved a child patient who sought treatment for a suspected dengue fever case.
According to JKWPKL&P, the incident was caused by an unintentional mistake in issuing a monitoring card in a different language to the patient’s guardian.
“However, explanations regarding treatment and monitoring were provided by the medical officer to the patient in Bahasa Melayu, including written notes on the card,” it said.
Following the incident, the department said immediate improvements had been implemented to ensure monitoring cards were issued more carefully and appropriately, while maintaining Bahasa Melayu as the official language in the delivery of government healthcare services.
JKWPKL&P also apologised for the confusion caused and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring quality, safe and people-friendly healthcare services.
