S'porean killed after JB accident: Malaysian Health Ministry denies delay of treatment over payment

The Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) has denied reports that there was a delay in attending to a Singaporean man who was the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Johor Bahru on Aug 25.

Justinian Tan, 25, suffered severe injuries after getting hit by a car at around 3am. He died in Singapore General Hospital on Aug 30, after being taken off life support.

Another Singaporean man of the same age was also injured in the accident but is currently recovering.

Joshua De Rozario, as well as three other friends, were at the scene and witnessed the accident.

Joshua told Singapore media that the ambulance in Malaysia took a long time to reach the accident site and that upon arriving at Sultan Aminah Hospital, he had to pay a total of RM2,700 before preliminary scans were conducted on the two victims.

The Straits Times reports that in a press release issued today (Sep 1) by Malaysia's Director General of Health Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the Ministry of Health noted that after Justinian sustained injuries, an emergency call was made at 2.57am.

An ambulance was then dispatched at 2.59am and reached the spot of the accident at 3.10am, it added.

Subsequently, the ambulance departed from the scene with the patient at 3.15am. Upon arrival at the Emergency Department of the hospital, Justinian was admitted to the "Red Zone".

According to the press release, emergency treatment under an "Advanced Trauma Life Support" protocol was followed, which had already been initiated by the ambulance team.

"The Emergency Department team also initiated the necessary imaging (primary survey X-rays, CT-scan of brain, cervical and thorax), treatment (including intubation) and referral to the relevant team in a very timely and professional manner, without asking for any deposit since this is an emergency case," the ministry said.

Read the full story on The Straits Times.