FORMER prime minister Najib Razak, currently incarcerated in Kajang prison, was only allowed to be discharged from Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) by specialists last Friday as he was in good health, Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today. 

The health director-general said that Najib was admitted to HKL last Friday over an elective, non-emergency case, and was attended to by specialists who were certified senior consultants consisting of heads of their respective fields. 

“HKL also held two family conferences, which were attended by the former prime minister and his family members. The results of the tests conducted on him were given to them during this meeting in line with professional medical practices,” he said in a statement today. 

“They (the family) were also informed that the specialists unanimously agreed to allow him to be discharged.

“He was certified healthy before his discharge from HKL,” Noor Hisham added. 

He also said that the medicine prescribed to Najib after he was admitted was the same type as he had been taking before.

He said the ministry was transparent about the delivery of healthcare services to any individual and also bore the responsibility of complying with ethical practices involving patients’ privacy under the Medical Act 1971.

Information on the patient’s health can be given to the court if directed to do so, he said. 

Earlier today, Najib’s family pleaded with the government to allow the former prime minister to be given proper medical treatment after he was said to have developed multiple stomach ulcers recently.

Najib’s special officer, Mukhlis Maghribi, said the Pekan MP underwent a scope procedure on Saturday where a doctor discovered the ulcers. While it has been a recurring problem for the past 15 years, new ulcers were discovered, he added.

In today’s 1Malaysia Development Bhd trial, senior deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram, told judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah that he was informed by a Prisons Department officer that Najib’s condition was “quite bad”.

“The accused’s medication for blood pressure has been changed and it has adverse effects.

“I was informed that Najib’s condition is quite bad, but he is prepared to be here (for the trial) until 12.30pm. By 2pm he has to be taken to the hospital to see a doctor,” he said.

Sequerah adjourned proceedings at 12.30pm to allow Najib to seek medical attention. – September 12, 2022.