Do not turn away patients

NST: Private hospitals and clinics cannot turn away patients. Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican, who gave this warning today, said, "The Ministry of Health is not powerless. There are some things we can do..."
He was commenting on a recent incident where a 17-year-old boy Khairul Anuar was allegedly denied emergency treatment by a private hospital because the family could not put up a RM5,000 deposit. The boy died.
Dr Ismail said the ministry had acted on the complaint and appropriate action will be taken once investigations were completed.
He reminded those providing healthcare services that they had a social responsibility to the public who needed help.
"Nobody should be denied of any form of healthcare simply because they cannot afford it. There must be some flexibility in payment, especially those seeking emergency treatment."
He said it was equally important that all doctors, nurses and medical assistants at emergency departments in private hospitals were trained to deal with all emergencies.
"Nothing is worse than going to the emergency facility and the doctor says he has lost touch with a certain procedure.
"If that is the case, he should have kept in touch by attending the courses organised by the ministry annually," he added.