Fate Of 17 Children With Spina Bifida In Limbo After Surgeon S Suspension

---

 
Medical researcher Noraishah Mydin Abdul Aziz (seated centre) with parents and their children who suffer from spina bifida at a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.
PETALING JAYA: The fate of 17 children born with spinal cord defects is in limbo following the Jan 10 suspension of a neurosurgeon accused of sexual harassment.
Noraishah Mydin Abdul Aziz, a medical researcher who is part of a specialist team treating 30 children with spina bifida, said that children whose surgeries have been put on hold indefinitely may suffer lifelong consequences.
She added that the post-surgery treatment for the 30 children has also been affected by the surgeon’s suspension.
“He has the highest neurosurgery success rate in this country. And if you have an OKU card, you don’t have to pay for certain operations in the hospital (he is attached to),” she said during a press conference at Gerakbudaya today.
Zulhilmi Zulkarnain, whose son Zil Zikri was scheduled for spinal cord surgery last month, said the operation was postponed without a new date, following the surgeon’s suspension over the allegations made against him.
Zikri, 6, wears leg braces as his condition causes his feet to tilt up involuntarily.
“Earlier, we had hoped that his condition would improve with the surgery. But now, I don’t know what will happen,” Zulhilmi told FMT.
“We hope we’ll get an operation date soon because Zikri really needs it. Without the surgeon, we are not sure who will operate on my son.”
A scheduled appointment with the surgeon in May has also been put off for another child, Rizqi Ariq, 5.
His mother, Nurul Syafa Wati Ismail, said she is worried about Rizqi’s future if the surgeon’s suspension is not lifted.
“I don’t have any plans to seek treatment elsewhere. I trust the (ability of the) surgeon. Also, the hospital is free for OKU card holders,” she added.
Rizqi can now walk normally after a successful operation with the said surgeon. However, he will require regular check-ups until he is 18 years old to ensure normal spinal growth.
Noraishah said the specialist team comprised the suspended surgeon, a urologist and herself.
She also stressed the team’s proven track record in helping children with spina bifida.
According to Noraishah, every child with spina bifida who underwent surgery before they turned two can now walk normally, while 80% of them do not require catheters.
She urged the government to temporarily allow the surgeon to return to work until the investigation is concluded.
“I’m just asking for the investigation to be expedited. Let due diligence follow in court if there is evidence (about the allegations),” she said.
FMT has reached out to the hospital for comment.
Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not form properly in a developing embryo, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It can range from being mild to causing serious disabilities. Early treatment for spina bifida involves surgery when necessary. - FMT

---