A group of doctors in Penang defended the Health Ministry's handling of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) outbreak which has claimed more than 150 lives worldwide.

Speaking at 'The truth of Sars' seminar in the state last night, cardiologist Dr o­ng Hean Teik said the reason why the ministry had been slow to report the cases was because of doctors' ignorance about the disease.

He asked the media to report o­nly the truth regarding the outbreak and not to source all sorts of information to meet deadlines.