Kuala Lumpur: The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) is in the process of obtaining a new medical expert following the recent suspension of a part-time consultant at a paediatric department of a university hospital.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, stated that while awaiting the completion of this process, all paediatric patients suffering from spina bifida or spinal deformities and currently receiving treatment at the hospital will be referred to other neurosurgeons. He announced this to reporters after attending the Ihya’ Ramadan programme with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and MOHE staff.

Zambry emphasized that the hospital authorities are taking steps to ‘cover’ the work required by seeking other experts with the necessary expertise. He mentioned that this process is already underway.

Further elaborating, Zambry indicated that a complete report regarding the situation has been received, and follow-up action will be undertaken by the university. This follows an incident where a social media influencer questioned the hospital director’s decision to suspend a part-time consultant, which was shared on the X social media platform, causing public perceptions to shift against the university and ministry.

On February 15, Zambry urged all parties to avoid escalating the issue, suggesting that it is inappropriate to exaggerate the case without verifying the details, as parties involved were making accusations and spreading statements without a thorough understanding of the matter.