The Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association today questioned the need for TV3 contract sports newscaster Ras Adiba Radzi to undergo a spinal operation in Australia when cheaper and effective alternatives are available locally.

"We have competent spine surgeons in the country and it is much cheaper to carry out the surgery here," said the association's president Dr K S Sivananthan in a statement today.

He added the surgery that Ras Adiba required will cost "less than RM100,000 (even) if it is performed in a private hospital locally".

"I am not sure what type of surgery is going to be performed in Australia. To the best of my knowledge, I understand that no spine surgeon in Malaysia has been consulted."

Ras Adiba left for Sydney on Tuesday to undergo the operation at the Napean Kingswood Hospital. She had damaged her spinal cord in a car accident five years ago and had undergone corrective surgery in Australia in 2000.

About two weeks ago, she suddenly became paralysed from the waist down and was admitted to the Pantai Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur where she was told that her condition could be due to the earlier surgery in Australia.

According to Ras Adiba, the treatment in Australia will cost her about RM300,000. She sought public donation through the media and managed to raise RM392,000 within a week.

Meanwhile, Sivananthan said public funds are being drained out of the country by having the surgery done in Australia.

He also said that Ras Adiba might have to return to Australia for follow-up checks which will incur more public funds.

Not consulted

In a related development, the Malaysian Orthopaedic Association secretary Dr R Ramanathan said none of the members of the association were consulted or asked to comment on her condition.

He also echoed Sivananthan's views that local spine surgeons have the competence and experience to perform all types of surgeries on the spine.

"These surgeries are already being carried out in the country daily, both in private and in government hospitals," said Ramanathan in a press statement.

He explained that the association was not against anyone seeking treatment anywhere if "they have the financial means".

"However, if public funds are being sought, we feel that a professional medical report should be furnished by the relevant specialist or body certifying that the illness can be treated by surgeons in the country, be it public or private hospitals, whichever is cheaper," he added.

He further said that "poor patients seeking public funds" should seek treatment in government hospitals, unless that service is not available in these hospitals.

"In the event public funds are sought, a neutral body should manage the funds and later be accountable to the public."

The New Straits Times today quoted Ras Adiba as saying that no date has been fixed for the surgery and that she is still undergoing scans.

She said the outcome of the tests would decide the operation's procedure.