Chronic Kidney Disease Patient Dies After Receiving Alternative Treatments from Self-Proclaimed Doctor
Tragic Incident Highlights Dangers of Unlicensed and Unregulated Health Services
PETALING JAYA: A woman afflicted with chronic kidney disease has died after receiving alternative treatments, reportedly from Ayurvedic origin, from an individual believed to be a self-proclaimed doctor using fake a Datuk Seri title.
Raid Conducted on Self-Proclaimed Doctor’s Premise
The woman’s family have since lodged a police report with Serdang police chief ACP A.A Anbalagan, saying the police and the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) alongside the Ministry of Health have conducted a raid on a premise belonging to the self-proclaimed doctor on Thursday (Jan 23). Anbalagan said the case remains under investigation.
Family’s Desperate Search for Cure
The woman’s son, B. Prakash claimed his mother was diagnosed with stage four chronic kidney disease back in 2022 and was advised to undergo dialysis treatments, Harian Metro reported. Under emotional duress, Prakash’s mother decided to undergo the Ayurvedic treatments after watching a TikTok video about it and was charged a fee of around RM10,000.
Ayurvedic Treatments Fail to Cure
The self-proclaimed doctor is said to completely reject modern medicine and medical treatments and reportedly prescribed substances claimed to be traditional medicine as an alternative to hospital treatments. Prakash claimed his mother underwent the Ayurvedic treatment for a period of six months with the ‘doctor’ however her condition worsened to the point she had to be admitted to the hospital for two weeks until she succumbed to the illness and died.
False Hope and False Promises
"The individual involved rejected the idea of a doctor and gave us false hope saying our mother’s illness can be fully cured without dialysis and medication prescribed by the government (hospital) doctors," Prakash was quoted as saying. "We began treatment at a premise in Bandar Puchong Jaya with the ‘doctor’ for six months using medication that did not have any label let alone any verification from the Ministry of Health (KKM)," he added.
Consequences of Unlicensed and Unregulated Health Services
Following the tragic incident, the self-proclaimed doctor was seen promoting their services all over social media. The raid on Thursday was ordered to shut down according to Bylaws of Beauty and Healthcare Centres 2013.
Police Investigation Underway
Meanwhile, the Serdang police chief has also confirmed the police are investigating a 54-year-old local man in accordance with Section 3 of the Offences Related to Awards Act 2007. "A number of items including uniforms, posters and documents bearing the Datuk Seri title were also seized to assist in the investigation," he was quoted as saying.
Conclusion
The tragic death of the woman highlights the dangers of unlicensed and unregulated health services. It is crucial that individuals do not fall prey to false promises and misleading advertisements, and instead seek medical advice from qualified professionals. The consequences of ignoring medical advice and opting for alternative treatments can be devastating.
FAQs
Q: What are the consequences of unlicensed and unregulated health services?
A: The consequences can be severe, including financial loss, physical harm, and even death.
Q: What should I do if I am considering alternative treatments?
A: Always consult with a qualified medical professional and seek their advice before making any decisions.
Q: What are the legal implications for self-proclaimed doctors?
A: They may face criminal charges and fines, and their premises may be shut down.