Malaysia: Anwar Doctor: Dutch spine surgeon visits jailed politician Anwar скачать в хорошем качестве

Malaysia: Anwar Doctor: Dutch spine surgeon visits jailed politician Anwar

(12 Mar 2001) English/Nat A Dutch spine surgeon has visited jailed Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim. Doctor Thomas Hoogland said he had come to the conclusion Anwar urgently needs back surgery for injuries the former Deputy Prime Minister says were sustained after a beating following his arrest. Hoogland also said Anwar faces a greater risk of paralysis or other complications from the surgery if the operation is performed in Malaysia rather than overseas. Hoogland said facilities at the Kuala Lumpur hospital where the Malaysian government insists that the former deputy prime minister be treated are outdated and the staff untrained for the surgery. The government has denied Anwar's request to travel overseas for treatment on a slipped disc which has kept him bedridden since November. But officials allowed Dr. Hoogland, from the Alpha Klinik in Munich, Germany, to visit Kuala Lumpur to examine Anwar, view operating theatres and equipment and consult with local doctors to determine the best course of treatment and whether it was available in Malaysia. After viewing X-rays and consulting Anwar in the hospital room where he is kept under guard, Hoogland said local doctors agreed with his assessment that endoscopic surgery was the best treatment. But the Dutch doctor said that the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital was unsuitable and that performing the surgery in the Alpha Klinik in Germany was preferable. Performing the surgery in Malaysia presented greater risk of complications, even if special equipment and a medical team were flown in from Germany. Treating the back injury has become the latest controversy surrounding Anwar, who was fired by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1998 and is now serving 15 years in prison for corruption and sodomy. Anwar claims he was framed to stop him from challenging his onetime mentor for power. The government denies it. Anwar believes the injuries stem from the beating inflicted on him by the national police chief the night he was arrested - and blindfolded and handcuffed to a bed - after leading several street demonstrations against Mahathir's long rule. Hoogland said it was possible that Anwar's condition had been caused by a beating, but added that he could not be certain. The physician said he would in the next few days deliver a full report on Anwar's condition to his wife Azizah Ismail, including recommendations on his future treatment. Azizah, who leads the opposition National Justice Party which was formed in the wake of Anwar's arrest, said she would pass a copy of the report to the government. Anwar's family has agreed to pay the entire costs, including Hoogland's flight to Kuala Lumpur this weekend, but is battling government insistence that they assume all medical liability. SOUNDBITE: (English) "In my opinion surgery should not be deferred more than four to six weeks to have a good end result for him." SUPER CAPTION: Dr. Thomas Hoogland, Spine Specialist SOUNDBITE: (English) "You understand that an operation on the spine, it's not a simple thing. We all know about potential complications and problems. Nobody wants that. It's our duty to prevent these things but still there are risks. And the most important thing is, and I think Mr. Anwar deserves a good solution and he should not be subjected to procedures which may give more problems for him." SUPER CAPTION: Dr. Thomas Hoogland, Spine Specialist SOUNDBITE: (English) Of course, we have the best possibilities in our own situation. It is very obvious." SUPER CAPTION: Dr. Thomas Hoogland, Spine Specialist SUPER CAPTION: Dr. Thomas Hoogland, Spine Specialist Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...