"I was devastated," says mother of toddler who had seizure after long hospital wait

New Straits Times

14-05-2025

MELAKA: "I was devastated. It felt like my child's life was being treated as if it didn't matter," said Siti Aishah Rahim, whose toddler daughter allegedly suffered a seizure after waiting nearly 11 hours for treatment at Hospital Melaka's emergency department.
The 27-year-old said her daughter, aged one year and ten months, developed a high fever and was taken to the hospital's Emergency and Trauma Department last Saturday at around 2.30pm.
Despite a blood sample being taken upon arrival, Siti Aishah claimed no further checks were made, even as her daughter's temperature climbed to 40 degrees Celsius.
The care provided while her child was in the green zone was lacklustre and authorities showed little concern for her daughter's deteriorating condition, she said.
"I wouldn't have minded if there had been some response, but no nurse or assistant came to check on my child or even asked about her condition or checked her temperature.
"Thankfully, I brought a digital thermometer from home and checked her myself. When I saw the reading, I sponged her body repeatedly in the toilet while waiting to be called for treatment," she said when contacted.
Siti Aishah said her child only received urgent care after she began convulsing around 1am the next day.
The child has since been diagnosed with an adenovirus infection — a virus that affects the lungs, digestive tract, and eyes.
Siti Aishah said her daughter has yet to fully recover and remains weak and inactive. Antibiotics have been prescribed as part of her treatment.
"The hospital director and Melaka Health Department officials visited us this morning. They apologised and promised to investigate. I'm now waiting for an official response to the complaint I submitted," she said.
Siti Aishah who shared details and a video of the incident on Facebook, said she wanted to raise awareness so no other child would suffer a similar fate.
Meanwhile, state Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said he had instructed the Melaka Health Department director to conduct an immediate investigation.
"I have already contacted the state health director (Dr Ruzita Mustaffa) and asked for an urgent investigation.
"This matter has not been fully investigated yet, so we don't know the cause. I will update the media once the findings are available," he said when contacted.