Businessman explains decision to sue Singapore hospital over cancer that never was
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 – Claiming he was misdiagnosed for cancer that prompted him to undergo unnecessary operations, high-profile businessman Datuk Seri Clement Hii Chii Kok said today he is suing the Singapore National Cancer Centre (NCC) and a consultant surgeon to prevent others from suffering the same.
Hii, 54, the managing director of public-listed SEGi University Group and executive chairman of private investment vehicle HCK Capital Group, suffered complications after being treated for suspected pancreatic cancer at the top Singapore medical facility three years ago, only to learn months later that he did not have the ailment.
“I made my stand very clear to my lawyers at Straits Law in Singapore – I am suing because I want to create awareness for the need for hospitals and doctors to reduce or eliminate cases of unnecessary surgeries,” he said in a statement today.
Hii, who had undergone a major operation to treat the cancer and two more surgeries to save his life after developing complications, said he would donate the money to improve diagnostic research should he win his suit.
“There are many others who have suffered the same fate but they or their families do not have the means or financial resources to bring their cases against those responsible. I cannot let them down,” he said.
Hii declined to comment further on the case, pointing out it was subjudice to talk about the suit while it was underway, except to say that reliving the “ordeal” would be worth the trouble if he could help others.
A former journalist, Hii was reported accusing the NCC and consultant surgeon, Prof London Lucien Ooi, of failing to provide proper advice, ignoring the results of various other tests and failing to get his informed consent before starting him on cancer treatments in 2010.
Both defendants deny the claims and made it clear in court documents filed that they never told him he had cancer of the pancreas, state news agency Bernama reported two days ago.
They pointed out that there were multiple specialist opinions that showed that the cancer could not be ruled out in his case and surgery was recommended.
Top Singapore broadsheet, Straits Times (ST) reported that in June 2010 after check-ups in Malaysia, Hii was referred to NCC where he was advised to undergo a scan to ascertain “hot spots” or cancerous lesions.
The test showed some hot spots in the pancreas. He was advised to undergo the Whipple’s Procedure — surgery to resect, or remove, portions of the pancreas, duodenum and part of the stomach.
After the August 2010 surgery, the resected pancreas was found to be not cancerous. He was discharged about 10 days later.
Hii complained that other tests by NCC, which included a full blood count and urine test, all yielded normal results but NCC did not advise him about these results or their significance.
He returned to NCC in September 2010 for a review and was told he was recovering well. But about two weeks later in KL, he vomited blood and became unwell.
This led to two major operations in KL. Hii now suffers the effects of all the abdominal procedures he underwent. He needs to be administered insulin, is on a strict diet and is unable to lead an active lifestyle.
A High Court pre-trial conference is due next month, Bernama reported.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/businessman-explains-decision-to-sue-singapore-hospital-over-cancer-that-never-was/
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