Latest news with #RM8.32
![[UPDATED] Bangi hospital denies 14-day deadline to settle lawsuit, explains seizure issue](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FHOSPITAL_BANGI_1752398235.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Bangi hospital denies 14-day deadline to settle lawsuit, explains seizure issue](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Bangi hospital denies 14-day deadline to settle lawsuit, explains seizure issue
KUALA LUMPUR: Hospital Islam Az-Zahrah has denied that it must settle a RM8.32 million medical negligence suit within 14 days. This follows a writ of seizure and sale issued over the non-payment in the suit. The hospital said it would challenge the seizure process initiated by the plaintiff's lawyer due to errors in the process. This statement followed a New Straits Times report that the hospital had until July 23 to pay the sum before seized items would be auctioned. Hospital Islam Az-Zahrah said that the incident occurred under its former management, and that a new management is now running the hospital. It added that the previous management is currently working to settle the outstanding judgment sum and that there is an ongoing legal process. "We understand that the old management has paid a significant amount of money for this judgment. "We would like to make clear that this issue is solely an issue of outstanding debts and not a matter related to the daily operations of the hospital managed by the new management," it said in a statement published on Facebook today. Hospital Islam Az-Zahrah, which opened in 1997, said the suit stemmed from a 2003 incident when the facility was known as Pusat Rawatan Islam Az-Zahrah. The hospital said the case was only brought to court in 2018 by the complainant. According to its records, the mother gave birth to two children within nine months, with the first on June 14, 2002, and the second on Feb 26, 2003. It said that in the case of the second child, the mother came to the hospital when she was 26 weeks pregnant. The specialist who treated the mother performed the necessary professional treatment and, after careful consideration, referred her to Hospital Putrajaya. "The baby was born at Hospital Putrajaya. So, we would like to clarify that the baby was not born at this hospital," it said. The hospital also referred to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad's comments on the issue, advising the hospital to transfer patients to other healthcare facilities. It said it has since contacted the ministry's Private Medical Practice Control Branch to clarify the situation. "Hospital Islam Az-Zahrah takes note of the news articles published by a local English newspaper. "This statement is made to clarify the situation and respond to allegations that have been circulating in the media, including social media," it said. It described the reports as "misreporting", which affected its reputation. It also denied claims about an area of the hospital being sealed off with security tape, adding that a photo used in a report was not of the hospital's closure and gave an incorrect impression to readers. Hospital Islam Az-Zahrah said its operations would continue as usual, and that it would continue to serve customers and the community by providing the best service. 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. According to court judgments, the High Court had on Sept 10, 2020, found the hospital liable for the baby girl's condition, a decision that was upheld by the Court of Appeal and Federal Court.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Bangi hospital denies 14-day deadline to settle lawsuit, explains seizure issue
KUALA LUMPUR: Hospital Islam Az-Zahrah has denied that it must settle a RM8.32 million medical negligence suit within 14 days. This follows a writ of seizure and sale issued over the non-payment in the suit. The hospital said it would challenge the seizure process initiated by the plaintiff's lawyer due to errors in the process. This statement followed a New Straits Times report that the hospital had until July 23 to pay the sum before seized items would be auctioned. Hospital Islam Az-Zahrah said that the incident occurred under its former management, and that a new management is now running the hospital. It added that the previous management is currently working to settle the outstanding judgment sum and that there is an ongoing legal process. "We understand that the old management has paid a significant amount of money for this judgment. "We would like to make clear that this issue is solely an issue of outstanding debts and not a matter related to the daily operations of the hospital managed by the new management," it said in a statement published on Facebook today.(MORE TO COME)
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Bangi private hospital must prioritise patient transfers amid RM8.3mil asset seizure
KUALA LUMPUR: A private hospital, which was slapped with a writ of seizure and sale over non-payment of RM8.32 million in a medical negligence case, must immediately arrange for the transfer of its patients to other healthcare facilities to ensure continuity of treatment. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the hospital must prioritise the care of its patients ahead of any potential asset seizure. "This is our primary concern. The hospital has a responsibility to transfer its patients to other hospitals with which they have established arrangements," he said.
