Panel awaits Anwar’s decision to undergo surgery

Surgery was one of the options offered to the former Opposition leader about four weeks ago and the panel is still awaiting Anwar’s decision.

PUTRAJAYA: A panel treating Anwar Ibrahim is still awaiting a decision on whether the former opposition leader should undergo surgery to treat a chronic injury on the right shoulder.

In a statement today, the health ministry said Anwar sustained an injury to his right shoulder several years ago, resulting in a tear to the shoulder muscles. The injury was sustained well before he was sentenced.

As provided for by the Prisons Act 1995 (Act 537), it said a panel of senior government consultants was appointed to examine and treat Anwar while he was in prison.

Based on the findings of the panel, the injury to the right shoulder was chronic in nature and this was confirmed by imaging, said the statement.

On the recommendations of the panel, the health ministry said the physiotherapist taught Anwar several exercises which were to be carried out daily in prison, using a specific equipment.

“He was reviewed at specific intervals to assess his muscle power and based on the findings, he was moved to the next set of exercises. This is the standard method of therapy for any person with a similar chronic condition.”

The ministry said the panel of consultants invited three other orthopaedic consultants, who are opinion leaders in the field, to give a second opinion and also invited an orthopaedic surgeon of Anwar’s choice to give a third opinion.

In the report submitted to the panel, it said all the three opinions gave similar treatment options but none of the opinions recommended intensive physiotherapy.

“As one of the options in all three opinions was surgery, this procedure was explained in detail to both Anwar and his family,” added the statement.

The ministry said this form of surgery to treat similar conditions was done on a regular basis at major government hospitals in Malaysia.

“The option was offered to Anwar approximately four weeks ago and the panel is still awaiting a decision by Anwar.”

It said the panel was treating Anwar in a professional manner and giving him appropriate care in keeping with his clinical condition.

“On a regular basis, his condition is being reviewed both by the doctors at the Sungai Buloh Prison and the panel,” it added.

– BERNAMA