Unethical to ignore initial medical report

First examination is very relevant

It is very unfortunate that at a time of rising inflation and economic uncertainties, the nation has become preoccupied with the sodomy allegations against the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Why so much of time,energy' money and especially police manpower are spent on this problem?Has sodomy become our top national problem?

In the latest development in this issue the revelation of the medical notes of Hospital Pusrawi’s Dr Mohamad Osman Abdul Hamid created so much controversy and public debate. Anwar and his lawyers, as expected, were quick to take advantage of the report, which was definitely in their favor. They could not afford to stand idle and let the golden opportunity elude them as they have very little means to really rebut the allegations arrayed against the PKR advisor.

The police on the other hand were quick to brush aside the report as insignificant and not genuine. The Health Ministry’s Director General, Datuk Dr.Ismail Marican says that his ministry would stand by the findings of the medical examination conducted on Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan by doctors at the Hospital Kuala Lumpur. He seems to imply that he is not taking seriously the findings of Dr.Mohamad Osman, who is a duly registered medical practitioner. It is regrettable that instead of defending Dr.Osman,Dr.Marican chose to cast doubts on the latter’s professional competence. Such an attitude would disappoint many doctors who expect to be protected for being righteous under difficult circumstances.

Home Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar says that the first medical examination by Dr. Mohamad Osman at the Hospital Pusrawi was just one on the many evidences gained by the police and as such its importance must not be over-emphasized.Yes,it may be one of the many, but it is a very important and relevant evidence that should not be ignored if we are to uphold justice.

Hospital Pusrawi’s general manager Wan Mahmood Wan Yaacob says that Dr. Dr. Mohamad Osman did not do a sodomy-related examination on Mohd Saiful, although the examining doctor has clearly stated in his notes “To rule out assault (sodomised)” and he rightly advised the patient to go to a government hospital for further evaluation as it was a medico-legal case.

Whatever is said about of Dr. Mohamad Osman and his clinical findings, it must be remembered that he was the first doctor who had the opportunity to examine the alleged sodomy victim.Dr.Osman is a fully a fully qualified doctor, registered with the Malaysian Medical Council and had many years of experience.

Dr.Osman found no active bleeding, ulcers, pus or anal tears to suggest some sort of injury. His findings may be negative but positive to show there was no evidence of traumatic injury of any sort involving the anus or rectum of the alleged victim. It would be unfair to disregard his clinical his examination just because it was negative. This is particularly so in criminal cases where the alleged crime must be proven without an iota of doubt.

It is absolutely right for the police to seek a second and expert opinion from the government doctors but the findings of Dr.Osman are relevant and must not be ignored if the police really want to get the truth. The police must be professional and evaluate all available evidence objectively without bias so as not to do injustice to any party concerned.

Dr.Chris Anthony