Father accuses doctor of medical malpractice, demands accountability

Chan Kok Sam

Over nearly a decade, Mr Chan Kok Sam has been running around different medical and legal departments in Macau to appeal for the accountability of his daughter’s vegetative state, which was followed by her death. The father believes that the tragic outcome was caused by the local public hospital’s malpractice.
“The hospital harbored the doctor’s malpractice, then the Health Bureau covered up the hospital. I found a surgery consent form in the lawsuit later with a forged signature of my name,” Mr Chan told the Times.
“It was allegedly signed by the doctor to cover up his negligence, but the Judiciary Police [PJ] identified it’s not forged. The PJ, the prosecutor, the court… all refuted my appeal without letting me show the burden of proof,” he stressed. “If my judgment is true, the entire chain of Macau’s judicial system is in foul,” he added.
The deceased young girl was diagnosed with a bleeding disorder back in November 2001, as she had too few platelets in her blood. After 27 months’ treatment, the 15-year-old progressed to cerebral hemorrhage. According to Mr Chan, the doctor neglected her deteriorating symptoms and discharged her from the hospital.
Two days after, the daughter was hospitalized again for the same condition. She finally was subject to surgery but never woke up from the medical intervention. Having been left in a vegetative state for a decade, Mr Chan’s daughter eventually passed away last March 17.
“Usually the [initial] hormonal therapy would be replaced by another type of treatment after six months of implementation, but the doctor maintained it for as long as 27 months,” said Mr Chan.
“We asked for surgery the first time she was hospitalized for a headache and mobility impairment but the doctor said it was no big deal and discharged her a few days later,” he added.
Having convinced that the tragedy was caused by the doctor’s “laziness, delay in further treatment, and negligence,” Mr Chan filed a complaint over medical malpractice to the Conde de São Januário Central Hospital (CHCSJ).
But the hospital insisted that it was the family that refused the earliest opportunity for surgery and thus let the best time for treatment pass by.
Last year, Mr Chan spent several months collecting over 10,000 signatures from citizens, and even appealed to the Chief Executive. Nevertheless, six months after, he hasn’t heard a word from the CE.
Now three times in a week, Mr Chan sets up a demonstration at the parking lot in front of the Chinese Liaison Office, hoping the department will talk to the CE.
“All these 10,030 citizens agree that my signature on the surgery consent form was forged when I showed them the photocopies. I request the CE to urge the judicial authorities to reveal the original copy and do another appraisal,” he said. “Besides, they were all appointed by the CE, so he is responsible for their accountability,” he said.