Lawyer Latheefa Koya (centre) holds up two letters sent by UMMC to the armed forces regarding equipment assistance for commando Abdul Hamid Talib. To her right are Hamid's mother, Josma Duim, and brother, Saifuddin. Second to her left is his sister, Saifuddin, while lawyer Sharifah Rania Aljunied stands immediately to her left.PETALING JAYA: The family of 25-year-old commando Abdul Hamid Talib has called on the defence and health ministries, as well as the police, to provide updates on the investigation into his injuries, identify those responsible and guarantee his long-term medical care.Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) adviser Latheefa Koya said the family had yet to receive clear answers about what happened to Hamid or who would bear the cost of caring for him after his expected discharge from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) tomorrow.She urged the defence ministry to explain what happened to Hamid and whether action had been taken against those responsible.She also called on the health ministry to examine UMMC’s alleged failure to respond to the family’s lawyers and ensure that Hamid is not discharged without a proper care plan.She said a full medical report confirmed that Hamid had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury affecting several parts of his brain and quadriplegia involving all four limbs."He is in a vegetative state.
He cannot move at all and shows no response."Who is going to care for him? His family members are not professional caregivers or nurses," Latheefa said in a press conference at LFL's headquarters here today.She also questioned the basis for UMMC's decision to discharge Hamid without clear arrangements for his rehabilitation, medical equipment or professional care.No response to lettersLatheefa claimed the hospital failed to respond to two urgent letters sent by the lawyers on July 14 and July 22, seeking clarification on Hamid’s prognosis, rehabilitation programme and discharge arrangements.FMT has contacted UMMC for comment.Latheefa said the hospital had separately written to the relevant armed forces division on July 8 and July 22, listing the equipment Hamid would require after discharge.These include a hospital bed, specialised mattress and wheelchair, portable suction machine, commode chair, blood-pressure monitor and pulse oximeter, as well as nutritional supplies.However, Latheefa said the armed forces had not responded …
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