by Theleaders-Online | July 13, 2019 8:44 am
The above subject has raised serious concerns amongst Malaysians.
The explanation by the Health Ministry did not allay the anxiety amongst Malaysians.
Severe anaemia in pregnancy is a serious problem. Medical schools devote an entire chapter on “Anaemia in Pregnancy ” as part of their undergraduate curriculum. (it was, when I was a student).
I remember as a Medical Officer in the rural areas of Malaysia identifying pregnant ladies with anaemia and subsequently infusing intravenously a calculated total dose of iron (used to be called Total Dose Infusion) as a treatment for iron deficiency anaemia.
As a precautionary measure we used to observe the patient for few hours before sending them home. Now there are better tools and safer alternatives.
The clinical decision to advise ladies to postpone their pregnancy till their health status permits is acceptable.
This clinical intention has to be managed professionally.
It has to a be a joint effort with total involvement of the patient.
Patient education and consensus building are essential.
While presenting the memorandum in Parliament, the Orang Asli representatives, have voiced out concerns on coercion and force.
That does not sound like the Malaysia or the Health Ministry that I know of.
Forced contraception is neither the privilege nor the responsibility of the Ministry of Health.
It raises many questions for which honest, truthful answers should be forthcoming.
1) Is this accusation of forced contraception true?
2) If other anaemic women are managed differently, why are there differing policies for differing groups?
To be blunt, the question that has unfortunately been ignited in the minds of many Malaysians is whether this is only an “health” issue or is it beyond health?
I pray that it is still within the realms of health.
As a former Health Minister, I am disturbed of the possibility of such a practice.
This issue was never brought to my attention by anybody during my tenure as even during my formal and informal visits to Orang Asli villages.
We have had many discussions on the nutritional status of Orang Aslis and the challenges faced in availing health programmes to the nomadic groups amongst them but the issue of forced contraception was never highlighted.
The Health Ministry is manned by highly qualified professionals with the highest integrity.
They will not do anything beyond the call of their duty.
As it occurs sometimes there are some who in their overzealous desire to achieve a targeted goal, go beyond the borders of ” what is possible ” into the realms of ” what is not possible “.
If that be so, it is high time we conduct a thorough review and develop much clearer and stricter guidelines.
At the end of the day, we want healthy Orang Asli women giving birth to healthy babies.
The right to procreate is a basic human right.
Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam is a former health minister of Malaysia
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