The Kuala Lumpur High Court today gave Ampang Hospital and the government two more weeks to file their defence in a medical negligence suit pertaining to the permanent disability of a teenager following several operations.

According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), Judge Ahmad Bache allowed the application by senior federal counsel Anisah Normah Muhammad after lawyer Harwinder Kaur, who appeared for K Krishnasamy, the father of the victim identified as Vimal Raj, 17, did not object to it.

In his suit filed last month, Krishnasamy had named the Health Ministry, Ampang Hospital, three doctors, and the government, as defendants. On Jan 8, the judge had ordered the defendants until today to file their defence, but the latest extension will give them on or before Feb 2 to do so, two days ahead of the case management on Feb 4.

In the statement of claim filed last month, former lorry driver Krishnasamy said Vimal had his left hand below the elbow amputated, as well as right leg below the knee and the left heel and toes severed in 2019, due to alleged doctors' negligence and breaches.

According to Krishnasamy, Vimal was abnormal child who did not suffer from any critical illnesses or genetic issues. The teenager only reportedly suffered from a treatable condition known as "balanitis", that occurs in uncircumcised males.

The surgeries that took place between March 15 and Nov 26, 2019, had left his son permanently disabled, he had said in the claim.

Krishnamy also said that during one of the admissions at the Ampang Hospital, the medical staff had told him that his son had been diagnosed with multiple diseases including cancer, HIV, tuberculosis and peripheral gangrene involving the left upper limb and bilateral lower limb, without providing reports or diagnosis of the said illnesses.

Krishnasamy, 46, who had to quit his job to take care of Vimal, is seeking special, aggravated, exemplary and general damages. His wife, who works as a security guard, is the sole breadwinner.


Source: FMT
Photo source: FMT