MMA: Tinasha's parents entitled to medical report

 

Based on the standard operating procedure, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said that Assunta Hospital should hand over the medical report to deceased teenager G Tinasha's parents.

"As the girl is underage and under the custody of her parents, the medical report should be given to the parents directly according to the guidelines of the Healthy Ministry," MMA president Dr H Krishna Kumar told Malaysiakini.

He said the parents need not to abide by the private hospital's demand of sending in a formal write up through the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).

"This is not necessary for the parents to follow. If the hospital fails to give the report to them, they can take legal action against them," he added.

Yesterday, the parents of the 14-year-old student filed another police report against the hospital after failing to obtain the medical report.

Tinasha's uncle I Ramesh claimed that the hospital was withholding the report because the family went to the media.

However, Assunta Hospital chief executive officer Peter TL Leong said that the family had to follow the proper channels.

Last Friday, Tinisha's parents I Uthayabavani and B Ganesan Rao had accused the hospital of negligence resulting in their daughter's death.

However, Leong had dismissed this, saying the medical staff followed procedure and accused the parents of not wanting to agree to an amicable solution.

MIC Youth: This is a shame

Meanwhile, MIC Youth criticised Assunta Hospital for delaying the medical report.

In a statement MIC Youth leader C Sivarraajh lambasted Leong for his "rude and arrogant" response.

"It is a shame that Assunta Hospital is behaving in this manner all because of one man who can’t handle the parents in their moment of grief.

"I have never heard of a 'proper channel' to get a copy of the medical report. I have also never heard of getting the medical reports through the Health Ministry," he said.

"They are prolonging the parents' anguish and bereavement by giving them the run around, which shows they are not transparent and professional," he added.

Sivarraajh said that MIC is also willing to offer help to the family including legal services.

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KAMLES KUMAR is a trainee reporter with Malaysiakini.