A middle-aged Malaysian woman has reportedly died after delaying medical treatment for diabetes, allegedly due to her distrust of Western medicine.
Forensic pathologist, Dr Tan Ran Zhi, took to his Facebook page to share how the woman preferred traditional homoeopathy, a 200-year-old system of alternative medicine, over insulin to treat her condition.
He shared that two years prior to her death, the woman had undergone several surgeries for diabetic foot ulcers. Upon her discharge, doctors had instructed her to receive regular insulin injections to manage her blood sugar and allow her wounds to heal.
However, her husband revealed that she did not trust Western medicine and insisted on using traditional homoeopathy instead of the prescribed insulin.
Dr Tan stated:
“‘Because I love her, I supported her,’ the husband said with an unyielding expression and a resolute tone. I asked, ‘She’s lying on the autopsy table now. Do you still support her?’ The husband lowered his head and remained silent, as did I.”
“Western medicine cannot be replaced”
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Upon inspecting the woman’s body, Dr Tan noted an unusual odour, which he believes originated from the wounds and the surrounding necrotic (decaying) tissue. He also noted that the cells buried deep under the skin were infected by bacteria due to long-term oxygen deficiency.
Dr Tan stated:
“Based on the autopsy findings, I believe the deceased’s diabetic foot ulcer on her right ankle continued to worsen due to a lack of effective treatment, leading to necrotising fasciitis, myositis, and osteomyelitis. She ultimately died from sepsis.”
He added, “In fact, as long as the attending physician does not object, a patient can still believe in traditional homoeopathy. However, the condition is that Western medical treatments cannot be replaced.”
Dr Tan ended his post by pointing out that while supporting a loved one is a form of respect, one should not be compliant if that decision leads to their death.
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