Nurses who played doctor and ran maternity homes

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Two nurses — one from a rural clinic and another a former army medic — have, between them, delivered hundreds of babies while posing as doctors.
They were operating unregistered maternity homes in Johor for years before they were put out of business recently.
Their activities came to light when the Health Ministry’s Medical Practices Department enforcement unit went undercover at both premises.
Then, using the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1988, the enforcement unit moved in, sealed both premises and detained the women, aged 35 and 55, for investigations.
They had their statements recorded and are now awaiting further action by the authorities who are expected to charge them soon for operating unregistered maternity homes.
"The homes were not registered, but worse still, they were run by two nurses who played doctor," said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Dr Chua said the two nurses were among six people who would be charged soon under the Act for running private health clinics and hospitals illegally.
They face fines up to RM300,000 and a maximum six years in prison if convicted.
The other four are a foreigner in Shah Alam and three medical assistants operating in Klang and Seremban.
Their clinics, all unregistered and situated in towns, have been sealed.
Dr Chua said one of the six was also running an ambulance service. None of them were qualified to run a private clinic, hospital or an ambulance service.
"They are playing with lives," Dr Chua said.
Dr Chua took a swipe at doctors at private clinics and hospitals who protested against the move by the ministry to register them under the Act.
"Many doctors protested and even accused us of treating them like criminals. They did not realise that there were many bogus doctors out there treating patients.
"There will be no let up. Many more will be arrested and charged," he said.
On the case of the traditional medicine man who was performing surgeries illegally at a clinic in Shah Alam, Dr Chua said: "If we cannot get the "doctor" we will charge the owner of the building for letting his premises be used for illegal activities."
He also urged those with information on these illegal practices to contact the Ministry’s Medical Practices Department in Putrajaya.