THE wife of Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud has hit back at allegations that the 88-year-old former Sarawak governor was “absconded” from the Normah Medical Specialist Centre in Kuching while he was undergoing treatment there.
Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib said the allegations contained in a police report lodged on February 4 are “demonstrably false and deeply concerning.”
She said that as Taib’s wife and carer she places her husband’s health and well-being as the utmost priority and would never undertake uninformed action to jeopardise his recovery.
“Tun Taib was not ‘absconded’ from Normah Hospital,” she said in a statement today,.
“Following the doctor in charge, Dr. Tan Sian Kong's clearance for discharge on 3rd February 2024, I informed him of Tun Taib's scheduled appointment with Dr. Rosli at CVS Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
“Dr. Tan approved his discharge and deemed him fit for travel. Dr. Tan's referral letter to CVS Kuala Lumpur Hospital further substantiates the legitimacy of the discharge and planned admission.”
Raghad stressed that the decision to bring Taib home was based on informed consent and his right to opt for his best care.
“All the necessary discharge documents according to the hospital’s procedure have been signed and all relevant hospital personnel were aware of the discharge,” she added.
“In the comfort of his own home, he has 24-hour medical support (including staffed nurses and scheduled doctor visits), necessary equipment, and medication for care and recuperation while awaiting admission to CVS Kuala Lumpur Hospital under Dr. Rosli's care.
She also refuted claims of voluntary removal of medications by herself without alerting the staff on duty at Normah Hospital as “completely untrue”.
“Requests for assistance in removing medical devices were ignored by hospital staff despite repeated calls for assistance,” she said.
“The poor treatment and inconsistent medical advice is a serious issue that needs to be looked into and investigated by the hospital.”
Raghad said that she has filed her own police report against the “false accusations” and “baseless claims” which have caused unnecessary stress and confusion.
She stressed the importance of protecting Taib's privacy and right to choose his medical care.
If necessary, they will pursue legal action against the hospital, she added.
“We are fully prepared to cooperate with the police in any investigation and will pursue legal action against Normah Hospital if necessary.
“I urge the public to disregard misleading reports and respect Tun Taib's right to privacy and informed medical decisions.
“My family will remain steadfast and united in these trying times,” she said. “We kindly seek the public’s prayers for my husband, Tun Taib’s health and well-being.”
Taib served as chief minister of Sarawak from March 1981 to February 2014.
He then assumed the position of the Yang diPertua Negri from March 2014 to January this year.
In the police report lodged on February 4, Dr Mohd Nazrin Jefri, a medical officer from Normah Hospital, had alleged that Raghad had shown up at the hospital at 11.56 pm the previous night with her butler and bodyguard.
He claimed that despite advice to have Taib remain at the hospital for proper and adequate treatment, he was told that Raghad had proceeded to voluntarily remove all medication attached to the patient without alerting the ICU staff on duty.
He further claimed that she had taken Taib away on a wheelchair with the help of her butler and bodyguard to a Toyota Alphard parked at the lobby’s entrance. – The Vibes, February 18, 2024
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