KUCHING: Sarawak police have confirmed that the case involving the death of a baby boy at a hospital earlier this year has been referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) for further action.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said investigations are still ongoing to examine all aspects of the case before any further steps are taken.
“This case was submitted to the DPP yesterday (Sept 19) for further processing,” he said briefly when contacted.
The case drew public attention after the baby’s father, Norman Nooradin, 51, from Serian, voiced frustration at not receiving a clear explanation about the cause of his only child’s death.
Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen, who accompanied him at a press conference, said the family deserves transparency.
According to Chong, the baby was born prematurely in Nov last year and was initially placed in the normal ward. In January, the infant was reportedly infected with bacteria and transferred to the critical ward for monitoring. A spinal tap was performed to identify the infection.
On Jan 18, before lab results were released, Norman received a call from the hospital informing him that his baby had fallen while being bathed by a nurse. By the time Norman arrived, the baby had fallen into a coma.
The baby regained consciousness on Jan 22 but was said to have low oxygen levels. He was moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) and began receiving five types of medication, which later increased over the following weeks.
Chong said the volume and type of medications given to such a small infant raised serious concerns.
Despite his condition, the treatment continued through a feeding tube from Feb 2 until the baby’s death on Feb 17. In the final days, the baby was unable to urinate. Attempts to insert a catheter failed, and a surgical opening was made in the abdomen to drain fluids—but to no avail.
The baby passed away at 11.25 that day.
Meanwhile, Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said her ministry is monitoring the case and stressed the need to hear from all parties.
“It’s good to hear from both sides to get a complete picture of what had transpired,” she said.
