Syed Alman Zain appeared listless at final stage of dental treatment: Witness

KUALA LUMPUR: A witness told the Sessions Court here today that Deputy Prime Minister's son-in-law, Datuk Syed Alman Zain Syed Alwi who received treatment at Imperial Dental Specialist Centre appeared listless towards the final stage of the treatment.
Sungai Buloh Hospital Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Department head, Dr Lim Wee Leong, 59, said based on his observation Syed Alman Zain was given excessive sedative which caused the patient to suffer breathing difficulties which required the doctor in attendance to resuscitate him.
"When he entered the treatment room he appeared to be fine but towards the end of the process he was lifeless as he sat slouched with his legs dangling from the dental chair," he said.
Lim made the observation after he viewed a six-minute closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage which recorded the patient's treatment process, during the hearing today.
The witness said this when re-examined by deputy public prosecutor Saiful Hazmi Mohd Saad on the fifth day of the trial of a dental specialist centre, the Imperial Dental Specialist Centre in connection with the death of Syed Alman Zain while undergoing treatment at the centre on June 1, 2016.
On Aug 12, 2016, the dental centre represented by its director Dr Wong Yen Ling pleaded not guilty to nine charges related to the death of Syed Alman Zain.
Wong as the licence-holder, was among others charged with failing to ensure that Dr Ting Teck Chin, the person who administered anaesthesia on Syed Alman Zain, was a qualified anaesthesiologist.
The clinic was also charged with failing to ensure that individuals engaged to perform radiological procedures (orthopantomogram), anaesthesia and IV sedation on Syed Alman Zain had the necessary qualifications.
The company was also charged with failing to put in place life-saving measures by not providing oxygen as a basic emergency care service as well as failing to submit to University Malaya Medical Centre, a copy of all of Syed Alman Zain's medical records when he was transferred there.
The clinic was also charged with failing to keep and maintain a staff register record, adhere to medicine labelling regulations and take adequate measures to protect its professional healthcare staff and environment from biological hazards.

The offences were allegedly committed at the clinic located at Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, Brickfields, here, between 6pm and 9.05pm, between May 26 and June 2, 2016.
Seven of the charges are under Section 31(4), 39(2), 40(4) and 117(2)(b)(i) of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, which provides for a fine of between RM30,000 and RM300,000, on conviction.
The two other charges are under Regulation 49(7) and 245(6) of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services (Private Hospitals and Other Private Healthcare Facilities) Regulations 2006, which carries a fine of up to RM10,000 or three months imprisonment or both, on conviction.
The clinic was represented by P. Sreekant. The hearing before judge Harmi Thamri Mohamad @ Shaharuddin continues on July 10 and Sept 5. — Bernama