Medical care not given as promised

NST: When Norizan Ismail was told she had contracted HIV through a blood transfusion at the Segamat District Hospital four years ago, she was promised the best medical care.
However, the housewife from Felda Palong Timur Satu here said today the promise was not kept.
She now tires easily and has severe skin problems with abscesses all over her body.
As a result, she cannot continue to work at an oil palm estate to help support her family.
"I wish the authorities would be more compassionate and responsible as they are the ones who caused my suffering," she said.
"They apologised, admitted their mistake and even said that I could take the matter to court. They also promised me the best medical attention."
Norizan, 44, had a blood transfusion after an emergency Caesarean section when she was seven months pregnant with her 11th child on July 17, 2001. She received 11 pints of blood.
She was in a coma for a week and her baby survived for only 18 days. She spent two months in hospital.
A year later, two health officers went to her home and took samples of her blood and her husband’s.
"They told us it was a routine health check," Norizan recalled.
"After a month, they came for another sample and soon after, we received a letter asking us to meet health officers at Segamat Hospital."
There, she received the devastating news.
"The health officer advised me against talking to families and friends because they might treat me as an outcast," she said.
"They admitted that the 11th pint of blood was contaminated with the HIV virus and that I had contracted HIV through blood transfusion.
"They said it was up to me if I wanted to take the matter to court."
She said her husband, Rosli Mansor, 48, had not contracted the disease.
Norizan and her husband sought a second opinion by sending a sample of her blood to a laboratory in Malacca. The second test confirmed her as HIV-positive.
Her battle as an HIV-positive person began with routine checks at Segamat Hospital, about 45km from her home.
Norizan said she had to submit to regular blood sampling procedures at 5am because the blood had to reach a laboratory in Johor Baru by 6.30am.
Early this year, her health deteriorated and she sought legal advice.
In Johor Baru, deputy state Health director Dr Daud Abdul Rahim said the hospital had carried out follow-up treatment for Norizan, including counselling.