In the NST letter section,

Doctor’s behaviour inhumane July 19: MY son, aged one year and four months, lost consciousness about 9.20pm on July 3. We rushed him to the nearest clinic. What happened next was truly unbelievable. Upon entering the treatment room, the doctor on duty was clearly displeased, looking at my motionless son. She did not even ask what happened or touch the little boy. All she did was shout, "No, no, no ...brain damage," repeatedly and pushed us out of the room. My mother was begging the doctor to do something for my son and the doctor slammed the door in our face! Without wasting any more time dealing with such an inhumane doctor, we rushed to the Ipoh Hospital. My son was treated immediately upon arrival at the emergency room. I am surprised and angry that a doctor, whose main responsibility is saving lives, behaved in this manner. Aren't private medical practitioners supposed to deal with emergency cases instead of pushing us to hospitals? My son is fine now. He lost consciousness due to high fever and suffered no brain damage. S.K. Kajang

The behaviour of the doctor is truly unacceptable and inexcusable. She should have seen the child first before referring to another hospital. The child was lucky that it was nothing serious and life threatening. It contravenes all medical ethics and absolutely defies logical thinking. It is sad that such individuals exist as doctors and certainly does little justice to the profession.