Malaysia

Khairy says Najib sent back to HKL for more tests, not IJN

Health minister says former PM won’t be taken to latter in line with procedures for inmates

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 13 Sep 2022 3:24PM

Khairy says Najib sent back to HKL for more tests, not IJN — No inmate will be denied their fundamental right in terms of access to healthcare and this includes jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, according to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pic). – MOHD HAZLI HASSAN/The Vibes pic, September 13, 2022

by Anne Edwards

PUTRAJAYA – Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has confirmed that Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been sent back to Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) today for another series of tests.

This follows claims that the former prime minister was suffering from stomach ulcers and high blood pressure.

Khairy denied that Najib was being taken to the National Heart Institute (IJN) as was reported prior to this.

“I have contacted HKL director Datin Paduka Dr Rohana Johan who informed me that Najib was in stable condition.

“Najib will not be sent to IJN because the procedure for inmates is that they are referred to the government hospital,” Khairy told reporters after launching Malaysia’s Covid-19 Vaccination: Public Private Partnership Report, at the ministry’s headquarters here today.

The minister said that when Najib was warded on Friday, doctors had checked him thoroughly and conducted several tests on him.

“I have also shared and held conferences with the family, including Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor twice since then.

“No inmate will be denied their fundamental right in terms of access to healthcare and this includes Datuk Seri Najib.”

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (centre) appears at the launching of Malaysia’s Covid-19 Vaccination: Public Private Partnership Report. – MOHD HAZLI HASSAN/The Vibes pic, September 13, 2022

Khairy added that the round of tests at HKL was being done to assuage his family members so that there is no dispute as to the facility’s standard of care and treatment.

On claims by Najib’s daughter, Nooryana Najwa, that a change in the former prime minister’s medication was to blame for his high blood pressure, Khairy said it did not “represent the real situation.”

Najib, Khairy said, was merely given the generic version of the patented drug that he had been originally taking.

On whether Najib is fine now, Khairy quipped that he was not a medical doctor.

“I’m not a doctor, I cannot say if he’s doing okay or not. What I know is I’ve been informed that Najib is healthy.”

Earlier, lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah had told the court in Najib’s 1Malaysia Development Bhd graft trial that the former prime minister would be referred to IJN for further treatment. – The Vibes, September 13, 2022