SHAH ALAM - Private maternity hospital Hospital Bersalin Razif (HBR) has been accused of mishandling the remains of a deceased baby named Muhammad Adham Mikail and delaying burial arrangements.
Adham was born on Nov 24 and he was finally laid to rest on Dec 10, two weeks after his birth.
However, in a statement that went viral, yesterday, the hospital strongly denied the allegations that it had detained the baby's remains due to unpaid bill.
The incident had since sparked outrage and concern over the treatment of deceased infants in healthcare facilities.
The Birth and Death of Baby Adham
On Nov 24, a woman arrived at HBR in Klang to give birth. She was reportedly in labour without prior antenatal check-ups, relying solely on a mobile application to monitor her pregnancy.
The baby was born with cyclopia syndrome with only one eye, no nose and no anal opening and died 30 minutes after birth.
Hospital's Response
HBR stated that they provided medical care and explained the situation to the woman's husband.
The hospital then issued a burial permit the following day and informed the family to arrange for burial, but claims arose that they were unable to do so due to financial constraints.
HBR claimed that the mother was well and allowed to be discharged the next day.
However, on the next day, she informed the hospital staff that she could not afford the RM2,480 hospital bill.
The hospital said despite this, it allowed the family to proceed with the burial while working out payment arrangements.
"Later she said her husband will be arranging the burial. So HBR waited for him to take the baby.
"As days passed, HBR kept reminding her to proceed with the burial, but she kept saying the husband is arranging," it said in the statement.
The hospital also claimed that it had provided counselling and free meals to the patient and that attempts to talk to the husband about the burial failed.
The woman, the hospital said also declined to involve the police or provide any contact details for her family.
"She claimed that she lived in a rented room with her husband. She does not have any relatives or friends nearby.
"HBR remains committed to transparency and compliance in all its transactions," it said.
Claims of Negligence and Mishandling
Reports surfaced alleging that HBR had stored Adham's body in a freezer for two weeks due to the family’s inability to pay an outstanding hospital bill of RM3,600.
The hospital denied these allegations, asserting that they had reminded the mother multiple times to arrange for burial but she insisted that her husband would handle it.
HBR said they provided support and counseling to the mother during this period.
Adham's father also claimed that HBR's owner was rude to him, saying that the owner was resentful to him because of the complications of the situation.
Public Outcry and Social Media Reactions
The situation gained significant attention on social media, with many condemning HBR's actions as inhumane.
Islamic funeral services provider Unit Khas Van Jenazah founder Wan Chai shared the alleged incident on his Facebook page Mr Wan Cai Official after the father reached out for assistance.
In the post, he detailed their involvement in mananging Adham's body, revealing that they had to use warm water to soften the baby’s remains before burial due to the prolonged storage.
This revelation intensified public outrage, prompting calls for accountability from both the hospital and healthcare authorities.
He also stated in another post that this was not the first time they handled a newborn's remains from the same hospital.
"I was born and raised in Klang Darul Colombia, so I know all the stories like the back of my hand," he wrote in the post.
It also said it was working towards ensuring accountability for what transpired at HBR.
Investigation by Health Ministry
In response to the growing controversy, the Health Ministry has announced an investigation into HBR.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad urged the public to remain calm while authorities conducted their inquiries into the matter.
The investigation aimed to clarify the circumstances surrounding Adham's treatment and the hospital's policies regarding payment before releasing the remains.
Related Hospital's Denial of Responsibility
Meanwhile, Kumpulan Medic Iman Sdn Bhd (KMI Healthcare) clarified that they did not manage HBR at the time of the incident, despite having a signed agreement for acquisition that had yet been finalised.
They emphasised their commitment to transparency but distanced themselves from any operational issues at the hospital.
Legal Assistance for Adham’s Parents
As public scrutiny intensified, it was reported that Adham’s parents have received legal assistance from lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaharil Muhaiyar, in their pursuit of justice.
The case served as a heartbreaking reminder of the complexities surrounding healthcare access, financial barriers and ethical practices in medical settings.
With investigations and potential legal proceedings underway, there was a shared hope for reforms that prioritised compassion and humanity in the country’s healthcare practices.