China ‘miracle cures’ end in death

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty Malaysians have died this year seeking miracle treatments in China for their terminal illnesses, after being misled by unscrupulous agents.
The patients paid the agents for a lifeline, but to no avail.
Unfortunately, the number of cases of China-bound patients being given false hopes of a cure for ailments, such as cancer and kidney disease, was rising, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
"Don’t be naive. If the cancer cannot be treated here, it also cannot be treated abroad," he said.
Dr Chua’s caution came in response to the alert by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department, where several patients and their families have lodged complaints on the treatments promoted by local agents.
The patients, said department chief Datuk Michael Chong, were approached by the agents in hospitals, and presented with brochures and other "evidence" to convince the patients that their conditions could be cured in China.
They patients spent between RM50,000 and RM100,000, and some of them approached the MCA for donations for such treatments.
"The patients were pro- mised a cure for their ailments in Guangzhou. When they arrived, they found that the treatment centre is only a shoplot. The staff could not even administer a blood test," said Chong.
"They were there seeking treatment, but instead of receiving a lifeline, they died."
Malaysian consulate officers in Guangzhou said they helped the bereaved families send the bodies home.
"I was also told by the officer that this is only the tip of the iceberg. He had gone to check on a medical facility in the area, and was surprised to see many Malaysians seeking treatment, when even locals don’t seek treatment there."
He added that the families would have to spend an additional RM40,000 to fly the bodies of their loved ones home, and prepare for their burial or cremation.
Dr Chua said the treatment provided at the centres was palliative: It did not cure the cancer, it merely reduced the pain.
Such treatment was also available locally, Dr Chua said, adding that Malaysia’s treatment facilities and technology were among the best in the region.
He said that many of these patients returned to Malaysia after they ran out of money as the centres refused to continue "treating" them.
He said the treatment for cancer was complicated and specialised and could not be taken lightly. "Malaysians should not place their trust in half-baked agents promoting such treatments."
He advised Malaysians who were interested in pursuing treatment for their ailments to do their research. They should consult their local doctor or specialist to find out the nature of the treatment they sought before going overseas.
"No doctor will tell his patient to go overseas if the treatment is available here."
Doctors who did so were unethical and the public should report them to the ministry, he said.