PETALING JAYA: The father of a baby boy named Adham who died shortly after birth and was allegedly kept in a freezer for 16 days by a private hospital, said he had tried to arrange for his child's burial but was not allowed to do so.
Safwan Roshdy, 22, refuted claims that he had not arranged for his child's burial.
He also said it was not his choice to have his wife deliver at the private hospital.
The situation unfolded unexpectedly when another individual assisted in taking his wife, who was in labour, to the hospital.
Recalling the incident, Safwan said he was working in a factory in Shah Alam, Selangor when he received a call about his wife who was in labour.
"The person who helped my wife had taken her to a nearby private hospital.
"Upon arrival, the hospital told me my wife was about to deliver, and they informed me that our baby was born with defects.
"My baby was born safely, and when I performed the 'iqamah,' he was active and cried just like any other baby.
"But shortly after, the hospital informed me that my baby had passed away," he said when met at his home in Kota Damansara yesterday.
Safwan said the hospital informed him that his baby's cause of death was breathing difficulties.
He said he had asked the hospital to allow him to arrange his baby's funeral but was told that he could not do so until the bill was paid.
"Every day, I requested to be allowed to bury my baby's body while my wife stayed at the hospital, but they wouldn't allow it.
"I couldn't do anything until I sought help from Unit Khas Van Jenazah," he said.
Safwan also denied claims that he and his wife were unmarried and that he had refused to claim the baby's body.
He clarified that they were indeed married, and the misunderstanding might have arisen because his wife did not have a 'pink book' (record of prenatal care).
Safwan admitted that his wife did not receive antenatal care due to financial constraints, but they had monitored the pregnancy using a smartphone app.
"I am extremely disappointed and saddened by the accusations and comments from people on social media.
"At this time, my wife is in a very unstable condition. I don't want to disturb her emotions, but I will take appropriate legal action against the parties involved," he said.