SUNGAI PETANI: The family of an elderly patient who collapsed and died in a viral video at a hospital ward here has lodged a police report over the incident.

       The family lodged the police report so that the police would investigate the cause of the death of K. Ehambaran, 74, said Sinar Harian in a report.

       The deceased's daughter E. Chitradevi, 37, said her father was admitted to the hospital on Thursday (Aug 26) after he was tested positive for Covid-19.

       The Malay daily reported that the family received a call from the hospital at about 3pm on Monday (Aug 30) informing them that their father died due to chronic pneumonia.

       "I believe that our father was still well on Sunday based on the information given by the hospital and they even asked us to send food to him," she said.

       Chitradevi said her family believed that her father's passing may not have been due to chronic pneumonia.

       "This report was made so that the police can investigate my father's cause of death and determine whether it was caused by negligence or not," she said, adding that the family wanted a proper post mortem to be conducted.

       Meanwhile, Malaysian Tamilan Kural president David Marshel said the organisation is ready to help the family in terms of legal assistance.

       Kedah Health director Dr Othman Warijo said Ehambran had a history of several chronic illnesses and was classified as a Category 4 Covid-19 patient who needed oxygen support.

       Dr Othman said the man did not look comfortable with the oxygen support equipment that he was wearing, though he was monitored frequently by medical staff who communicated with him in his mother tongue.