KOTA KINABALU: There are no incidents of stateless mothers who lost their infants in Sabah hospitals, said state Health (JKNS) director Dr Asits Sanna.
He was responding to an article by a news portal which claimed one of the mothers had lost custody of her child at Lahad Datu hospital.
Dr Asits said JKNS had conducted an investigation and found that the allegations raised were untrue and have not occurred in any Health Ministry hospital in the state of Sabah.
"Every patient receiving treatment at any healthcare facility is provided with appropriate care in accordance with the laws and regulations of Malaysia.
"In cases of abandoned or neglected infants and children, the hospital will refer the matter to the Child Protector Officer in accordance with the provisions under the Child Act 2001 (Act 611).
"The department is also committed to investigate all claims received to improve the quality of our services," he said in a statement.
Dr Asits said that a police report was also made today at the Lahad Datu District Police Headquarters to refute these allegations, and the department had handed over the matter to the authorities for further action.
The department also assures full cooperation with the authorities in the event of an investigation being conducted.
"The Sabah State Health Department takes these allegations seriously and assures all customers at Sabah State Health facilities that the safety and well-being of customers are our top priority," he said.