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New Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Business as usual at Bangi hospital despite RM8.32mil court order
KAJANG: With just 10 days left before a court-ordered asset seizure over a medical negligence case that resulted in an RM8.32 million payout, Hospital Islam Az-Zahrah is operating as usual, according to its staff and patients. A check by the New Straits Times today found that hospital services, including outpatient treatment, surgeries and maternity care, are ongoing, with patients and staff saying they have not been informed of any plans for closure or relocation. Nurul Yati Abd Manaf, 40, a patient from Kajang, said she had asked hospital staff if they were preparing to move or shut down, following rumours she had seen online. "I asked the staff here, but they said they have not received any directive from their CEO or management. Everything seems normal. Even the minor construction on the first floor is still in progress," she said. The mother of two said news reports had raised her concerns about the future of the hospital, especially since she has been seeking treatment there since the delivery of her first child, who is now 10. "All my children's medical records are here, and if there is going to be any closure or whatsoever, I need to know," she said when met outside the facility in Bangi today. Another visitor, who only wanted to be known as Mohamed Zack, 32, from Port Dickson, said he was at the hospital for the delivery of his first child. "I also heard about the lawsuit, but over here everything seems to be normal," he said. Meanwhile, Mohammad Amran Mohd Ajis, 44, said he brought his baby for treatment to the hospital on Friday and has since not received any clear information on whether the hospital will continue to operate. "My wife gave birth here, and we've been coming for check-ups. No one has told us anything about the hospital shutting down. We're still receiving care as usual," he said, adding that he was also keen to find out about the court order. Hospital staff on site also said they had not been given any notice of termination or changes in operations. Despite the apparent calm, the hospital, owned by Medi-Circle Sdn Bhd, is currently under legal pressure after the Kuala Lumpur High Court issued a writ of seizure and sale on May 26. The enforcement stems from a 2020 High Court judgment in favour of the family of a premature baby who suffered brain damage due to negligent obstetric care in 2003. The High Court initially awarded the family RM8.12 million in damages. While the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling in 2022, it reduced the award to RM6.03 million and released two doctors named in the suit.
![[UPDATED] Bangi private hospital must prioritise patient transfers amid RM8.3mil asset seizure](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F10ntdzulk_1752301311.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Bangi private hospital must prioritise patient transfers amid RM8.3mil asset seizure
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has no jurisdiction to bail out a private hospital in Bangi that is facing an asset seizure following a court judgment in a medical negligence case involving an RM8.32 million payout. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry's immediate concern is the welfare of patients. "The hospital must begin transferring all patients, together with their medical records, to other suitable healthcare facilities within the 14-day period provided under the enforcement process. "This may include other private hospitals with existing arrangements, or to government hospitals where necessary. What matters most is that patient care is not disrupted," Dr Dzulkefly said after the Gotong Royong Mega Fight Against Aedes 1.0 at PPR Seri Kota, Bandar Tun Razak, conducted in conjunction with the ASEAN Dengue Day 2025 here today. The seizure stems from a civil suit filed by the family of a premature baby girl, who was born at 26 weeks gestation on Feb 26, 2003. The child was later diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. In its ruling on Sept 10, 2020, the High Court found the hospital liable for negligent obstetric care and awarded the family RM8.12 million in damages. The Court of Appeal, in a decision on Feb 4, 2022, upheld the ruling against the hospital, but allowed the appeal of two doctors named in the suit. The award was subsequently reduced to RM6.03 million. The hospital later appealed to the Federal Court, which dismissed the case on Feb 24, 2023. As of May this year, the hospital had failed to make full payment, with interest bringing the total amount owed to RM8.32 million. A writ of seizure and sale was issued by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on May 26 after the hospital failed to comply with the judgment. Dr Dzulkefly said while the enforcement was not carried out by the Health Ministry, the incident serves as a serious reminder to private healthcare providers governed under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586). "Let me be clear, this enforcement action was a result of a civil suit and court process. It did not involve the ministry. "That said, I want to remind all private hospitals that compliance with Act 586 is mandatory." He added that the ministry would not intervene in matters of corporate liability or insolvency. Dr Dzulkefly added that while the Act does not provide compensation mechanisms for patients or employees in the event of insolvency, healthcare providers are expected to take all reasonable steps to protect the wellbeing of patients. He also said hospitals were expected to have professional liability insurance in place. "We assume such coverage exists, but it can be verified. Every facility must be accountable, and every practitioner must have indemnity."
New Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Private hospital risks seizure over unpaid RM8mil negligence suit
KUALA LUMPUR: A private hospital in the Klang Valley faces seizure after failing to settle RM8.32 million for medical negligence. It is learnt a writ of seizure and sale dated May 26 was issued by the Kuala Lumpur High Court after the hospital failed to pay the claimant the court-ordered sum with interest after first losing the case in 2020. The suit was filed by the family of a newborn baby, which claimed that their child suffered from spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy due to medical negligence. According to the court judgments sighted by the New Straits Times, the High Court had on Sept 10, 2020 found the hospital liable for the baby's condition, a decision that was upheld by the Court of Appeal and Federal Court. In their suit, the family alleged their child, a girl, was born prematurely at 26 weeks on Feb 26, 2003, as a result of negligent obstetric services at the hospital. She had and continues to suffer from permanent mental and physical disabilities, forcing her to be fully dependent on others for daily activities. The family had filed the suit on March 21, 2018, against the hospital and two doctors and won. They were awarded RM8.12 million in damages. On Feb 4, 2022, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court decision but allowed the two doctors' appeal. The court also reduced the damages to RM6.03 million. The hospital went on to fight the case at the Federal Court but the appeal was dismissed on Feb 24, 2023. The court documents stated that the hospital had not made full payment of the sum, which at the conclusion of the Federal Court hearing, had accumulated to RM7.52 million, including interest. However, the hospital has since failed to fully comply and settle the damages awarded to the girl. According to the May 26 writ of seizure, the hospital's assets can be sold to settle the sum owed. Checks by the NST showed the hospital was operating as usual, with patients registering and visitors entering and exiting the premises. The NST is withholding the name of the hospital pending a response from it.
