Press Statement on 13 January 2012

Below is the full press statement delivered on 13 January 2012

Press Statement by Dr Tang Sie Hing

(Special Assistant to YB Chong Chieng Jen MP Bandar Kuching/ADUN Kota Sentosa)

13 January 2012 @ DAP Headquarter Kuching

Issue: Inaccurate Press Statement Made by Dr Hu Chang Hock

Source: Below is the clip of a press statement which appeared in Sin Chew Daily which was published on 12 January 2012, the daily edition was read by readers in central part of Sarawak.

English Translation: Dr Hu Chang Hock, advisor to Malaysia Medical Association (MMA) Sibu Sub Branch pointed out that there are not many brain specialist doctors (腦專科醫生) locally. In Sarawak, we have only two specialists. One is attached with Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching, another one is serving with Normah Hospital. He made this statement to the reporter this morning, not only in Sarawak but in Malaysia and the rest of the world; they are not many brain specialist doctors. (The rest I would not translate as there is not contention).

My response:

1. I noted Dr Hu spoke as advisor to MMA Sibu Sub Branch and regrettably he gave the wrong or outdated facts to the reporters. He erred on saying there are only 2 brain specialists (腦專科醫生) in Sarawak.

2. Currently in Sarawak, there are 7 brain specialist doctors (NOT 2 AS STATED) serving as follows (facts confirmed with the individual specialists):

a. 3 neurosurgeons （腦外科專科醫生） in Sarawak General Hospital

b. 1 adult neurologist （成人腦內科專科醫生）in Sarawak General Hospital

c. 1 paediatric neurologist （小孩腦內科專科醫生）in Sarawak General Hospital

d. 1 neurosurgeon（腦外科專科醫生）in Normah Medical Specialist Centre (private hospital)

e. 1 adult neurologist（成人腦內科專科醫生）affiliated with Timberland Medical Centre (private hospital)

3. With Dr Hu’s press release which is not consistent with the current brain specialists working in Sarawak, it might have caused the following untoward consequences:

a. Dr Hu speaking on behalf of MMA Sibu Sub Branch gave the wrong information and I wonder where his source was and whether any verification was sought with the President of MMA Sarawak Branch in Kuching. This is public embarrassment as many doctors and patients have called up doubting his press statements and he spoke in the capacity as “advisor” and look like he gave the wrong advice.

b. Dr Hu might have inadvertently caused unnecessary distress to the medical colleagues who have worked as brain specialists in Kuching for the last many years and not being recognised locally.

c. Dr Hu’s mistake in giving wrong information during press release might have embarrassed the Malaysian Medical Association which is a National Association for Medical Doctors.

4. Hence

a. I urge the public not to accept Dr Hu’s statement as it is not factual.

b. I urge Dr Hu to apologize for his mistake.

c. I have informed Dr Mary Suma Cardosa who is the current president of Malaysian Medical Association via email of the above incident and seek to clarify the following matters:

i. In making press statement on behalf of MMA, is there a need to seek authorisation from national President as in Dr Hu’s case, he spoke as “advisor to MMA Sibu Sub Branch”?

ii. What are the possible ramifications to the public and medical fraternity in the case like Dr Hu who gave wrong factual information?

iii. If Dr Hu is found to have made press statement which contains wrong facts and may have affected the best interest and reputation of MMA, will MMA take disciplinary actions on Dr Hu?

By Dr Tang Sie Hing (MMC Reg No: 41170)

Email: drtsh@hotmail.com Hp: 016 884 8853