PETALING JAYA: Hospital Bersalin Razif (HBR) has denied claims in a viral video that it had kept the body of a stillborn baby for days because the father could not pay the bill.
In a statement on Wednesday (Dec 11), the hospital said it reminded the baby's mother several times to arrange for a burial but she insisted that her "husband" would do it.
It said the woman, who claimed to be in her first pregnancy, had come to HBR when she was "bearing down".
"She never had any antenatal check-up throughout her pregnancy. She claimed she monitored her pregnancy using a phone application only.
"She was brought to hospital by her 'husband' (she later claimed she was not married).
The hospital said the woman was examined and admitted on humanitarian grounds even though she was unbooked and unscreened.
"She was brought to the labour room and delivered almost immediately. Her baby had cyclops syndrome with one eye, absent nose and anus. The 'husband' did not accompany her during the delivery," said the hospital.
It added that the doctor explained the baby's condition to the 'husband' and told him to conduct prayers.
"Routine injections were given to the baby and planned for referral. However, the baby became blue and expired minutes later," said the hospital.
It said a burial permit was signed and the doctor informed the 'husband' to arrange for a burial but he left the hospital, saying he had to go elsewhere.
It added that the patient was allowed to be discharged the next day but she said she was unable to settle the bill of RM2,480.
"She was informed that she could arrange the burial first before paying the bill. Later, she said her 'husband' would be arranging the burial. So HBR waited for him.
"As days passed, HBR kept reminding her to proceed with the burial but she kept saying her 'husband' was arranging it," said the hospital.
The 'husband', the hospital claimed, came to visit her every two to three days.
"Attempts to talk to him about the burial failed. HBR management discussed with the patient to get police to help to settle the burial but she pleaded not to get the police involved.
"She kept saying that all decisions would be from her 'husband'. HBR tried to get family contacts but she refused to give it to anyone. She claimed that she lives in a rented room with her 'husband'. She does not have any relatives or friends nearby," read the statement.
