HKL seeks help of ‘rude dispenser’ victim

The hospital's director says an immediate investigation was launched when FMT brought the incident to light.

PETALING JAYA: A week after the “rude dispenser” incident came to light in a letter to FMT, Hospital Kuala Lumpur now claims that it launched an immediate investigation.

On Aug 19, a patient using the pseudonym “Solie Hussain” sent a letter to FMT describing how she was ill treated by a dispenser. She said a box of medicine was thrown at her across the counter.

That letter raised the ire of FMT readers, who roundly condemned the hospital for being insensitive.

In a statement to FMT today, Dr Zaininah Mohd Zain, Director of HKL, said:

“With reference to ‘Rude Dispenser at Hospital Kuala Lumpur’ on the Free Malaysia Today (FMT) website, when the incident was first reported on 19 August by Solie Hussain, an investigation was immediately conducted but we were unable to contact the complainant as we could not trace a patient by the name of ‘Solie Hussain’.

“We would like to thank ‘Good Samaritan’ for giving more information on the reported incident.

“HKL will appreciate it very much if ‘Solie Hussain’ or ‘Good Samaritan’ would call us directly at 03-2615 5013/5015 or e-mail their contact number to pro.hkl@moh.gov.my to help us with this issue.

“It has always been our policy to give the best possible service to our patients and the incident which was reported is truly regrettable.”

In her letter to FMT, “Solie Hussain” alleged that upon voicing her displeasure over a change in the brand of medication, a dispenser behaved unprofessionally, throwing the medicine at her.

Some days later, another reader going by the pseudonym “Good Samaritan” confirmed that the alleged rude behaviour did take place, saying she was present during the incident. She said she was the one who picked up the box of medicine from the floor and consoled “Solie Hussain”.