The Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Health Department (JKWPKL&P) has issued an apology following controversy surrounding the use of a Chinese-language dengue patient monitoring card at a government clinic in Taman Sri Rampai, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.
In a statement released on Tuesday night (19 May) via the Ministry of Health (MOH) Facebook page, the department explained that the incident resulted from an “unintentional mistake” involving a child patient who sought treatment for suspected dengue fever on 18 May.
Multilingual cards aimed at improving communication
According to JKWPKL&P, the official patient monitoring cards used in government health facilities are issued in Bahasa Melayu. However, the clinic also prepares cards in several other languages as part of its efforts to improve communication and understanding among patients and guardians from diverse backgrounds.
The department stated that in this particular case, the wrong language version of the monitoring card was accidentally given to the patient’s guardian.
Despite the mix-up, JKWPKL&P stressed that all explanations regarding treatment, monitoring procedures, and medical advice were still communicated in Bahasa Melayu by the attending medical officers. Furthermore, written notes and important medical instructions were recorded on the card to ensure proper patient monitoring.
Bahasa Melayu remains the official language
The incident sparked online discussion regarding the use of multilingual materials in public healthcare services, with a TikTok user claiming the incident was politically motivated. In response, the department reiterated that Bahasa Melayu remains the official language used in the delivery of government healthcare services across the country.
Following the incident, immediate corrective measures have been implemented to ensure that monitoring cards are distributed more carefully and appropriately going forward. The department added that steps are being taken to strengthen internal procedures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
JKWPKL&P apologised for the confusion caused and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering healthcare services that are professional, safe, efficient, and people-friendly for all communities.
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