Health Ministry Director-General Ismail Merican vowed this morning to keep a close eye on his doctors at Kuala Lumpur Hospital when he was told that some lacked adequate understanding of how to treat the A(H1N1) fever.

His concern was aroused when two girls apparently in fear of the reported four deaths nationwide caused by the flu gate-crashed his press conference at the Marriot Hotel this morning to inform him that they had been denied treatment at that hospital.

NONE Without any protective masks on, one of them asked Ismail if the government hospitals are allowed to refuse throat swabs for patients, in which the DG responded that it would be "kind of impossible to test everyone for H1N1".

He added that a decision has been made to test only patients admitted to hospitals with severe symptoms.

"But for those who don't, we do not do testing but instead we would advise them to stay home if they have flu-like illness.

"If they have fever, they should take paracetamol and have their symptoms monitored. If you have warning signs, go to hospital for treatment. That is the best we can do," said Ismail ( above ).

However, one of the girls, who appeared to be in her early 20s, said that when she called at the hospital last week, the doctors advised her to stay home although she had been down with the flu for over a week.

DG startled by re velations

She also claimed that without examining her, the doctors concluded that she only had fever.

"I have been having the flu and I am still sick. The doctors say it is nothing but it is worrying me," said the girl.

To which Ismail exclaimed, "Oh no, that's terrible ... that means you still have to go back to hospital and get the throat swab done. They cannot refuse to see you just because they have seen you before. Tell them you are not better and want to know for sure whether or not you have H1N1."

He said the girl has every right to see the doctor again as she has already entered the second stage of the flu.

"At the first stage, you are unwell, coughing and such. But if it's normal flu, it will be better within two or three days. But if it's still there, you have the right to go back to the doctor and insist (on treatment).

The doctors also need to examine her lungs to check for pneumonia. If there is a sign, she has to be admitted and the throat swab taken, said Ismail.

DG will advise HKL docs

The other girl claimed she had been admitted to the emergency ward in the same hospital, only to be told later that though suspected of being infected she was free from the disease and no treatment was needed.

"First, the doctor said I may have H1N1 and asked whether I have asthma. I said yes. Then he brought me to an emergency ward.

"As I got there, a staff (not a doctor) said I did not need treatment and the doctor agreed with him," she said.

NONE Upon hearing the two, Ismail said that he will keep a close eye on the hospital and advise doctors not to stop anybody with suspected H1N1 flu from undergoing treatment.

He told them that they have every right to consult doctors and hopes that the public and doctors will be on high alert until the pandemic is over.

When asked if the ministry will take action against the doctors concerned, he said they will have to be questioned on how well they understand the disease.

Now that the country has recorded one death every 24 hours, he said it was time that he found out from the doctors if they had examined the patients properly.

"I want to check the background of these doctors and see whether they understand what is going on," said Ismail.

Both girls left the press conference soon after it ended.