Malaysian authorities are investigating a private hospital accused of withholding the body of a deceased infant until his parents paid an outstanding bill. The case has sparked widespread outrage across the country.
The controversy involves Muhammad Adham Mikail, who was born on November 24 with cyclopia syndrome, a rare and severe congenital condition characterized by a single eye and other serious abnormalities. The baby passed away shortly after birth at Razif Maternity Hospital in Klang, west of Kuala Lumpur.
According to the baby’s father, 22-year-old Safwan Roshdy, the hospital informed him and his wife that they could not retrieve their baby’s body for burial until they paid a bill of 2,480 ringgit (approximately US$557).
The situation gained national attention after activist Wan Cai, who operates a funeral service for underprivileged families, shared the story publicly. The case quickly went viral, leading to a wave of public criticism.
Following the uproar, accusations began to fly between Safwan, his lawyer, the hospital, and the activist. On Friday, Selangor state police confirmed that they had received an official complaint from Safwan and were investigating the matter at the South Klang police headquarters. Police are looking into possible criminal actions, and hospital representatives, along with others involved, will be asked to provide statements.
Hospital Defends Actions, Claims Unpaid Bills
Razif Maternity Hospital responded to the allegations in a statement released last Wednesday, defending its actions. The hospital claimed that Safwan’s wife had not attended any prenatal check-ups during her pregnancy, opting instead to rely on a mobile app for monitoring her health.
“[We] had to accept her on humanitarian grounds despite being unbooked and unscreened,” the statement read. The hospital also stated that the couple was unmarried and suggested that the baby’s remains were retained because Safwan had not yet claimed the body.
Safwan, who works in a factory, acknowledged that he had been financially struggling and admitted to not arranging prenatal check-ups. However, he expressed his anger at the hospital’s insinuation that his child was born out of wedlock.
“It’s outrageous … how do you think me and my wife feel?” he told Malaysian broadcaster Astro Awani.
Public Outcry and Support for the Family
The couple’s story resonated deeply with the Malaysian public, particularly as medical costs continue to rise while insurance companies report record profits. On social media, many people voiced their support for the family, criticizing the hospital for its actions.
“They could’ve made a charitable exemption,” said Facebook user Dina Masdina, referring to the hospital’s refusal to release the body over a relatively small debt.
Others condemned the hospital’s actions as heartless.
“It’s not like the bank repossessing a car because you don’t pay. This was a baby, someone’s child,” said Sabrina, a user on X (formerly Twitter). “Let the body be processed and buried properly, the lawsuits can come later.”
Government Investigates
In response to the public outcry, Malaysia’s Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad announced that his ministry had launched an investigation into the incident. He urged the public to remain calm as authorities gather all necessary information.
“I will wait patiently for a comprehensive report from all responsible agencies involved,” he said at a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday.
The case has raised questions about hospital practices and the ethics of withholding a deceased child’s body over a financial dispute, especially in a country where rising healthcare costs are a growing concern.
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