By Fitri Hazim Hazam
SHAH ALAM, Dec 18 — The Selangor government has proposed that the Health Ministry (MOH) establish an emergency fund to help underprivileged families claim their loved ones’ remains from hospitals.
This comes amid uproar over a private hospital in Klang “holding” an infant’s body in its mortuary freezer for two weeks as the father could not foot the bill.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said the fund would apply to special cases, including the aforementioned one.
She suggested the MOH adopt this as a policy for both public and private medical facilities, but stressed the need for thorough study before implementation.
“At the state level, discussions can be held with the Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) to provide aid. The fund could be jointly managed by hospitals and the LZS.
“In the early stages, it has not yet been determined which party should implement this fund, as it remains a proposal,” she told Media Selangor.
Anfaal said the state government is closely monitoring the case of the infant’s remains being held at the private hospital in Klang, and advised the public against speculation to allow further police investigation into the matter.
“The state government … is prepared to offer counselling services to the parents if needed,” she added.
The fate of the infant being “held” at the Klang hospital mortuary had gone viral previously, dubbed the “frozen baby” case.
On December 16, Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said authorities were reviewing evidence from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department to verify the marital status of the deceased infant’s parents.
Hussein said statements were taken from five people, including the baby’s parents, two doctors, and a friend who brought the mother to the hospital.
He added that an inquiry paper was opened to detect criminal elements, if any, in the case.
