By Geryl
Ogilvy Ruekeith
KUCHING: A letter has been submitted to the State
Health Department and Miri Hospital on Tuesday for an inquest to be held into
the recent death of an infant belonging to a Penan couple from Long Napir, Ulu
Limbang.
Although the couple, Roy Dumai and Seri Yung, did
not point fingers at anybody for the tragedy that occurred on Oct 15 at the
Miri Hospital, they were dismayed at the circumstances that led to the death of
their new born daughter.
They have now instructed state PKR vice-chairman See
Chee How to request both parties to furnish a report on the incident.
At a press conference held at PKR Stampin branch
office at 3rd Mile here yesterday, the Batu Lintang assemblyman explained that
the couple had to leave their village and farm to enable the mother (Seri Yung)
to receive regular medical follow-ups and treatments by staying with their
relatives in Limbang for the last four months following doctor’s advice that
she was facing a high-risk pregnancy.
See said the couple’s first child was born five
years ago by Caesarian section.
On Oct 13, Seri Yung was transferred to Miri
Hospital from Limbang Hospital after she failed to give birth to her baby girl
by natural labour.
Upon arriving in Miri, the mother was again asked to
attempt natural labour and only after 10 hours was the Caesarean section
conducted (at about 2am, Oct 14).
The baby died at about 10am on Oct 15.
“Firstly, she was transferred by ambulance even
though it could have been more appropriate to use a helicopter to send her.
Then she had to endure another 10 more hours because the doctors asked her to
attempt natural labour.
“Worst, when she was discharged on Oct 16, the Miri
Hospital insisted that the couple must pay about RM180 before they leave. They
are poor farmers and hunter-gatherers who do not have any savings as they only
sell their catch, fruits and vegetables occasionally,” explained See.
What worsened the situation, he said, was although
the couple pleaded with the hospital that they had no money they were subjected
to verbal abuse by the staff.
In the end, the couple resorted to borrowing money
from their friends and relatives to pay off the bill.
“It is tragic that a precious life was lost. It is
even more dreadful when the unfortunate episode showed that the poor rural
folk, particularly the Penans, are deprived and prejudiced in the provision of
public services and care, in medical and healthcare, and education especially,”
he said, describing the indifferent and apathetic attitude towards the most
deprived rural native communities as a heinous crime against humanity.
See then explained that by demanding that the couple
settle the RM180 medical bill, the staff in Miri Hospital had clearly breached
their social responsibility by contravening a circular issued by the Sarawak
Health director in 2008 that allowed waiver or cancellation of poor patients’
bills, especially Penans.
A copy of the circular which he showed to the press
stipulated that the bills may be cancelled or waived if a patient meets the
following criteria:
• monthly income of less than RM765.
• Malaysian citizen, but Limbang Hospital can accept
their identification card receipt and birth registration receipt as temporary
registration documents.
• on welfare from the Social Welfare Department or
registered non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
See also disclosed that the State Health Department
had also requested Limbang District Office to help register Penans so that they
would not be mistaken for foreign nationals.
“I just cannot imagine the hurt and disappointment
this poor Penan couple must have felt, that they had just lost their baby girl
and were subjected to needless criticisms and humiliations for their financial
hardship.
“Nothing short of a public apology from the Miri
General Hospital will suffice,” he said.
Source : Borneo Post
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