MMA REGISTRATION VITAL, COURT TOLD
Witness says only doctors registered with MMA can anaesthetise patient
AWITNESS told the Sessions Court here yesterday that a medical practitioner had to be registered with the Malaysia Medical Academy (MMA) and with experience before he could be allowed to anaesthetise a patient.
Head of the Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Department at Sungai Buloh Hospital, Dr Lim Wee Leong, 59, said besides having to be supervised by an anaesthetist, the medical practitioner was also required to observe procedures and to have the necessary equipment.
“Normally, an anaesthetic is applied (on the patient) in the surgery room, which is equipped with the necessary equipment, but if it is given outside the surgery room, the practitioner also has to have similar equipment,” he said when questioned by deputy public prosecutor Saiful Hazmi Mohd Saad.
Dr Lim was testifying in the fourth day of the trial of a dental centre, Imperial Dental Specialist Centre Sdn Bhd, in connection with the death of Datuk Syed Alman Zain Syed Alwi during a dental treatment at the centre on June 1 last year.
In the case of a dental treatment, he said a registered medical practitioner should give local anaesthetic to reduce the patient’s pain.
“It is important for a medical practitioner to check on the patient’s (medical) history, and to record them before being given the anaesthesia,” he said.
On Aug 12, the company, represented by company director Dr Wong Yenn Ling, claimed trial to nine charges in connection with Syed Alman Zain’s death.
Dr Wong, as the licence holder, was charged with, among others, failing to ensure that Dr Ting Teck Chin, who administered anaesthesia to Syed Alman Zain, had the qualification to do so.
The company is accused of failing to ensure that the individuals it engaged to perform orthopantomogram, anaesthesia and intravenous sedation on Syed Alman Zain had the qualifications.
It is also accused of failing to put in place life-saving measures by not providing oxygen as a basic emergency care service, as well as failing to submit to University Malaya Medical Centre a copy of Syed Alman Zain’s medical records when he was transferred there.
The company is also charged with failing to keep and maintain a staff register record, adhere to medicine labelling regulations and take measures to protect its professional healthcare and environment staff from biological hazards.
The offences were allegedly committed at the dental specialist centre located at Lots 62 and 64, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, here, between 6pm and 9.05pm, between May 26 and June 2 last year.
Seven of the charges are under Section 31(4), 39(2), 40(4) and 117(2)(b)(i) of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, which provides for a fine of between RM30,000 and RM300,000, on conviction.
The two other charges are under Regulation 49(7) and 245(6) of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services (Private Hospitals and Other Private Healthcare Facilities) Regulations 2006, which carries a fine of up to RM10,000 or three months imprisonment or both, on conviction. The dental centre is represented by lawyer P. Sreekant.
The hearing before judge Harmi Thamri Mohamad @ Shaharuddin continues on June 8. Bernama