Taiping Prison riot: MOH to probe alleged violations by medical staff

 

The Health Ministry will commence an investigation into the alleged wrongdoings of its medical personnel during a riot at the Taiping Prison in January last year.

In a statement, the ministry’s deputy director-general (public health) Dr Ismuni Bohari said they take the findings by a Suhakam public inquiry panel on Monday seriously and would not compromise on any professional negligence, violation of clinical governance, or non-compliance with medical practice standards.

"Following the findings of the Suhakam public inquiry, the ministry will establish a special investigation committee to conduct a detailed review of the incident at Taiping Prison, including the findings in the Suhakam report, aspects of clinical management, compliance with medical procedures, and the validity of allegations of medicolegal negligence.

"The committee will be chaired by the ministry’s Public Health Development Division director and comprise relevant experts from the Medical Development Division, Internal Medicine Specialist Services, the Disease Control Division, and the Perak State Health Department, while the Institutional Health Unit will serve as the secretariat," Ismuni said in a statement to Malaysiakini.

He added that it would take appropriate actions under the law, should the investigation reveal any wrongdoing.

The ministry stressed that it is committed to ensuring medical services at correctional facilities are delivered in a professional and ethical manner and meet the principles of basic human rights.

On Monday, the Suhakam inquiry panel, chaired by its chairperson Hishamudin Yunus, announced its findings into the riot involving over 100 inmates, which resulted in a detainee's death.

It concluded the riot was instigated by the prison management and staff themselves, and that the detainees' human rights had been violated.

The panel also identified fraud in inmates' medical record documentation.

The damning report further drew the ire of DAP MPs Lim Lip Eng and Gobind Singh Deo. Lim called for firm action against the top management and prison personnel, while Gobind said he would raise the matter at the next cabinet meeting. - Mkini