Private hospital denies mishandling baby’s body as Malaysia’s Health Ministry investigates

SELANGOR, MALAYSIA: A private hospital in Klang has denied allegations that it withheld the body of a deceased newborn for two weeks due to an unpaid hospital bill.

The controversy arose following a social media post by the Special Unit for Hearse Services (UKVJ), which claimed the hospital demanded RM3,600 (approximately S$1,091) before allowing burial arrangements.

The hospital, identified as Hospital Bersalin Razif (HBR), strongly refuted these allegations in a statement issued on 11 December.

It clarified that the mother, who had not undergone prior antenatal check-ups, delivered the baby shortly after arriving at the facility.

“The baby was born with cyclopia syndrome, having one eye, and without a nose or anus,” the statement explained. Medical treatment was administered, but the baby passed away shortly after birth.

The hospital stated that it permitted the burial arrangements to proceed the following day and later discharged the mother despite her inability to pay the RM2,480 bill.

HBR claimed that reminders were issued to the family to proceed with the burial, but no further action was taken.

The hospital also reported complications regarding the family’s situation. The man accompanying the mother, initially introduced as her husband, later denied being married to her.

The hospital stated it provided counselling, meals, and support to the woman, who allegedly declined to involve the police or share her family’s contact details.

Hospital’s narrative disputed

The allegations gained public attention after the Facebook post by UKVJ, also known as Mr Wan Cai, alleged that the baby’s body was stored in a morgue for two weeks because the father could not afford to pay the bill.

In response to the hospital’s claims, Wan Cai accused the facility of issuing misleading statements about the parents’ marital status and the payment of outstanding fees.

He refuted HBR’s claim that the baby’s father refused to handle burial arrangements, presenting WhatsApp screenshots as evidence. According to Wan Cai, a colleague of the father visited the hospital on 7 December and made a payment of RM663 towards the bill.

Despite this payment, he alleged that a hospital staff member insisted on the remaining RM1,817 being settled before the baby’s body could be released. “The staff member, a female employee at the counter, demanded that the balance be paid in full,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Health Ministry, through its Private Medical Practice Control Section (CKAPS), announced that an investigation into the incident was underway.

Wan Cai also challenged HBR’s assertion that the parents were unmarried, accusing the hospital of making unfounded assumptions without verifying their marital status.

Additionally, he criticised the hospital for claiming that the mother had been discharged on the day of the baby’s death without complications. He argued that multiple witnesses and receipts contradicted this narrative.

Health Minister calls for calm and compassion amid ongoing investigation

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad addressed the matter during a press conference in Parliament on 11 December, urging the public to remain calm as investigations proceed.

“I hope all parties will remain calm and allow the relevant authorities, including CKAPS, to conduct the investigation,” he said.

Dr Dzulkefly extended his condolences to the grieving family and appealed for compassion, kindness, and empathy while awaiting the findings.

HBR reiterated its commitment to ethical and professional standards in patient care.

The hospital said the situation had been misrepresented online and maintained it had taken measures to support the family during a difficult time.

The incident has sparked widespread discussions on social media about medical ethics, affordability, and the treatment of vulnerable individuals in private healthcare facilities.