Investigation at dental centre carried out under Section 88 of Act 586 - Witness
On Aug 12 last year, the company represented by company director Dr Wong, claimed trial to nine charges in connection with Syed Alman Zain's death. - Filepic
The Sessions Court here was told today that investigation on Imperial Dental Specialist Centre Sdn Bhd in connection with the death of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's son-in-law during treatment there on June 1 last year was in accordance with the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 or Act 586.
Principal Assistant Director at the Health Minister's Office, Dr Mohamed Ahsan Mohamed Ismail, 37, said the investigation was carried out under Section 88 of the law which empowered an inspector to enter and inspect the premises.
He said the investigating team entered the premises on June 2 last year to investigate the death of Ahmad Zahid's son-in-law, Datuk Syed Alman Zain Syed Alwi, while seeking dental treatment at the company's premises.
Dr Mohamed Ahsan, who is the third prosecution witness, said this during cross-examination by lawyer P.Sreekant, who is representing the dental centre.
He disagreed with the counsel that the report on the case was incomplete as his team did not seize any documents from the premises and that no follow-up checks was conducted at the dental centre before the report on the investigation was sent to Investigating Officer Dr Siti Khatijah Khawari.
He said no document was seized from the premises because it was not a raid, but his team went there for a visit to obtain information on Syed Alman Zain's death while seeking treatment at the dental centre.
"We did not make any seizure because the information that was obtained and photographs taken there were enough to make the report," he said when questioned by deputy public prosecutor Jaizah Jaafar Sidek.
On Aug 12 last year, the company represented by company director Dr Wong, 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 also accused of failing to ensure that the individuals it engaged to perform orthopantomogram, anaesthesia and IV sedation on Syed Alman Zain had the necessary 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 all 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 adequate measures to protect its professional healthcare and environment staff from biological hazards.
The offences were allegedly committed at the dental specialist centre located at Lot 62 & 64, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, Brickfields here, between 6 pm and 9.05 pm, between May 26 and June 2.
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 hearing before judge Harmi Thamri Mohamad @ Shaharuddin continues on March 10. - BERNAMA
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