Official flood visits cause two-hour delay for labour patients

PETALING JAYA, Dec 30 — A medical evacuation (medevac) mission for two mothers with severe labour complications was delayed for almost two hours by official visits to flood damaged areas yesterday.

Dr Afiq Rahim, stationed at the Badang health clinic, said the first patient came in at 3.30am with labour pains. At about 6am, doctors decided she required tertiary healthcare attention.

“There were meconium (fecal matter) stains on the bed, and the baby was showing signs of distress due to the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck,” he said.

The doctor immediately contacted Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital to send in the medevac team.

However, the helicopter only arrived at 8am, two hours later.

“The hospital staff seemed nonchalant when told about the patient’s condition and it was only when I persisted with numerous calls that the rescue team was sent,” he said.

Dr Afiq said he was told the delays were caused by official visits to the flood sites.

He said the second patient who arrived after 8am in labour was also faced with a similar predicament.

“This patient had a deep cervical tear upon delivering the baby and had lost a significant amount of blood,” he said.

“We had to wait two to three hours while she slipped in and out of consciousness after losing so much blood,” he said.

He said he was infuriated by the delays because the authorities had prioritised official visits despite the patients being in critical condition.

“Two lives could have been lost yesterday due to the nonchalant attitude of the authorities,” he said.

“It is disappointing and frustrating for those of us who are ensuring the safety and health of the victims.”

MIC youth chief Sivarraajh Chandran said a team of 12 doctors was deployed yesterday to a medical camp at Pengkalan Chepa to address the lack of medical attention and supplies in the state.

“We know it is difficult now to send supplies over to certain districts, especially in Kuala Krai which is completely inundated,” he said.

“Although the floods seem to be subsiding, the weather continuous to be too poor to fly the helicopters into affected areas.”

Sivarraajh said there were two loads of food and essential items sent to Kuala Krai, Ladang Kerilah and Ladang Paku yesterday, while missions to provide aid in other areas were put on hold due to bad weather.