I am upset and appalled at how lightly a person life is taken in this country. More accurately, an elder’s well-being, despite hearing so much fluff re the need for enhancing quality of care for our aging population.
My father-in-law (fil), a stroke patient, was admitted to a local nursing home on 29 July 2016. Though he had multiple-conditions, he was mobile, active and can walk with assistance.
He was rushed to A&E on morning of 18 Aug 2016, just 20 days after admission to the home, in critical condition. He was fully non-responsive, diagnosed as being severely dehydrated, and classified as coroner’s case should he pass on. We were told to prep for the worst. Reports were filed with MOH and the police.
Unable to contact higher authority at the home, we wrote to KV Capital which held 100% interest in the home at the point in time.
A few days later, we were contacted by the COO of the home. Further prodding revealed that
– nursing manager had “resigned” (or asked to resign as the COO had mentioned) and returned to the Philippines
– nursing staff overseeing my fil had also “resigned” and returned to Philippines
– NO records of fil’s food/fluid input/output which is a requirement
– CCTV footage also showed that my fil was not brought out to the dining hall for at least two weeks
The home admitted fault in writing and offered compensation in terms of hospital bill and waiver of holding charges.
Since then, my fil remained unresponsive, non-communicative, required 100% assistance, and was fully bed-bound till his last on 19 Aug 2018. Beyond the increased expenses, he was on full tube-feeding, had non-communicative capability and zero quality of life.
Police were unable to file a case due to its nature (not a criminal offense but rather, possible negligence). Despite repeated emails to MOH, we received templated responses to await further investigations for the past >2 years.
Quoting what the MOH investigation officer shared in his “interview and statement taking” in Oct 2016 with my wife, he shared that the “piles of files” in his office were “cases from more than two years ago and still pending investigations”.
Does that mean that two years is not long enough to warrant a proper conclusive investigation to possible negligence that has caused a patient much suffering, indirectly (or directly) leading to his demise?
Does it also mean that there are so many similar cases out there that are not being addressed?
What is taking the ministry so long despite the gravity of such a case? Is this not important enough to warrant attention so that no other such cases fall through the cracks?
If the MOH’s objective is to ensure quality care for our aging population, this lack of accountability speaks the total opposite.
A life was compromised; a family ravaged and in debt due to the expenses. Who can tell us where to go for answers and help?
A helpless Singaporean
Update:
Thank you to all kind souls who have suggested we copy PM Lee Hsien Loong, Min Gan Kim Yong, AIC Chief Jason Cheah, and other MOH officials Amy Khor, Lam Pin Min（蓝彬明）, Edwin Tong, Amrin Amin, yes, we had already done so in our previous correspondences to no avail, which is why this post was put up.