THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has expressed concern over the incident where a 14-yar-old was caught trespassing and posing as a staff member of Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang, Selangor and wanting to “help perform a surgery” in the operating theatre on Thursday (Aug 8).
MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz called for the authorities to tighten up its security system, in particular its identification of staff, to ensure no repeat of such incidents, adding that this breach in security can potentially put the health and lives of patients at risk.
“Patient safety and privacy must remain the highest priority at all times. Therefore, we urge the hospital to thoroughly investigate the matter to ascertain if the incident had in any way affected patient care,” she remarked in a statement on Friday (Aug 9).
In addition, Dr Azizan said the 14-year-old’s mental health should also be assessed as it is unusual for a girl her age to behave in such a manner.
Bernama reported earlier that the teenager was arrested for alleged trespassing and impersonation at the Serdang hospital and has been remanded for two days until tomorrow.
Sepang Magistrate Muhammad Bukhori Md Ruslan issued the remand order against the suspect today to facilitate investigations under Sections 448 and 170 of the Penal Code for trespassing and impersonating a civil servant respectively.
Section 448 provides for a maximum jail term of three years or a fine of up to RM5,000 or both while Section 170 carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison or fine or both.
Police escorted the teenager clad in orange lock-up attire to the Sepang Court Complex at about 8.40am.
Yesterday, Sepang police chief Wan Kamarul Azran Wan Yusof said the teenager was arrested at 9am at the Sultan Idris Shah Hospital lobby.
The authorities also confiscated a scrub suit, scrub trousers and a hospital lanyard from the suspect. – Aug 9, 2024
Main image credit: Bernama
