PUTRAJAYA: The MCA Youth Public Complaint and Services Bureau has called for urgent action against an unregistered medical practitioner who allegedly used unauthorised drugs to treat cancer patients.
Its chief Zhi Li Heng said the 'doctor' allegedly performed immunotherapy treatments at a registered clinic in Kuala Lumpur for two victims.
Zhi submitted a formal petition to the Health Ministry on behalf of the victims' families, who only wished to be known as Hau and Yap, against an individual who misrepresented himself as a qualified doctor.
The 'doctor', said Zhi, allegedly gave treatments to Hau's 13-year-old son and Yap's younger sister.
However, he said the conditions of patients who received this immunotherapy treatment at the clinic worsened over time, leading to their eventual deaths.
"He presented himself as a doctor on his business card and conducted treatments and consultations in a registered clinic's consultation room.
"During the treatment period, he provided patients with instructions on medication and dietary guidelines, and sold unregistered injectable drugs, which is a serious offence," he said.
Zhi said upon checking with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), the individual was not a registered doctor.
"Although the clinic is registered under the Health Ministry, the individual himself is not registered with the MMC," he added.
Zhi also expressed concern over the lack of action taken against the unregistered doctor, who continued to operate the clinic despite numerous complaints to various enforcement authorities.
"Our initial complaint was lodged in April. The family had filed an official report to the police, but were told by the investigating officer that the case was marked as NFA (no further action). They were shocked.
"The case was then referred to the Health Ministry, but they said it was a police matter. So, who is supposed to take action?"
Following the complaints, Zhi claimed that the individual changed his title from 'doctor' to 'mister' on the clinic's website, but continued his practice until today.
He urged for a special committee or agency to be established to oversee the issue of unlicensed medical practitioners and unauthorised drug use.
"The MMC had said it only has authority over registered doctors, not unregistered ones. Similarly, the Health Ministry lacks the authority to address this problem and must refer it to the police for follow-up.
"However, the police did not act because they considered the case under the Health Ministry's jurisdiction.
"A special committee or agency specifically to monitor cases involving unregistered doctors is essential, as many such cases require proper regulation," he said.
Zhi said he hoped the Health Ministry or police would closely monitor the issue and the use of unregistered drugs as people's lives were at stake.
"I hope this petition can be a wake-up call for the government to take legal action against the issue and eventually bring justice to the family members who suffered from this fraud," he said.