Time to spill the beans
Hamzaruddin reveals botched surgery on injured finger
KUALA LUMPUR: National artistic gymnast Mohd Hamzaruddin Nordin has finally decided to talk about the botched surgery he underwent last year.
Hamzaruddin’s misery began during the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. He tore a ligament in his finger on the right hand during competition.
He sought the advice of the National Sports Institute (NSI) and underwent a threemonth rehabilitation programme.
But when the pain persisted, the NSI referred him to a private hospital, where he underwent surgery in January last year.
“I went there with all the reports, including the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) from my doctor at NSI. I was sedated during the operation ... when I woke up, I realised that they had operated on another area of my injured finger,” said Hamzaruddin, who admitted that he was not accompanied by any NSI staff when he first went to the private hospital.
“I questioned the doctor (about the surgery). I asked him why did he operate on the right side of the finger when it was the left side that was hurting?”
“The doctor told me that it was the right thing to do.
“I’m no expert, so I just accepted it. I told my NSI doctor about it and he gave me a letter to take back to the doctor at the private hospital.
“That doctor also scribbled something and sent me back to NSI.
“When I showed it to the NSI doctor, he told me that his question on the matter was not answered. When I asked what I should do next, he said that I should go for a second opinion at another private hospital ... which I did.
“The doctor from the second private hospital told me that he needed to operate on the area that I’ve been complaining about the whole time.
“But I decided not to do it. I just couldn’t bear going through another surgery.
“Now, the injured area as well as the operated area of the finger still hurt. I just tape my finger whenever I go for competitions now. I’ll just have to live with it.”
Hamzaruddin has taken part in two competitions since undergoing surgery – the SEA Games in Singapore in June and the World University Games in South Korea in October.
He did not win any medals in either meets.
Asked why he did not lodge an official complaint, he said: “I did not inform MGF (Malaysian Gymnastics Federation) or the NSC (National Sports Council). I only confided in my coach. I’m not blaming the NSI ... they are not responsible.
“I was disappointed about what happened. I trusted the doctor who treated me. I didn’t make it a big issue out of it because I didn’t know what to do then. I was afraid that I would upset some people. So, I just kept quiet.
“Even my parents didn’t know about it because I did not want them to be worried.
“Maybe I should have spoken or exercised my rights ... but it’s too late now. I have learnt my lesson. I just hope that other athletes will get better attention when they go for treatment.”