Navy cadet could have lived if treated early: Forensic pathologist

Navy cadet J Soosaimanicckam could have survived had he received early treatment six years ago, a forensic pathologist testified.

Dr Bhupinder Singh told the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court about his analysis of forensic reports on the 27-year-old who died during training at the KD Sultan Idris 1 camp in Lumut, Perak, on May 19, 2018.

On behalf of the deceased’s family, the expert witness testified that Soosaimanicckam’s (above) history showed he had been complaining about breathing difficulty and muscle aches days before his death.

“In my opinion, the deceased could have survived if treatment was instituted early.

“Most people recover in a few days or weeks. Patients with severe symptoms need to be treated in a hospital,” Bhupinder told judge Idah Ismail.

Soosaimanicckam’s family is suing the Royal Malaysian Navy and the federal government for compensation over alleged negligence that led to his death.

The deceased’s family contended he was a victim of ragging by navy trainers since reporting to the naval base to undergo officer qualification training on May 12, 2018.

Denied hospital treatment, physically abused

The family claimed that Soosaimanicckam’s request to be treated at a hospital for leptospirosis (a disease caused by bacteria that affects people and animals) was refused.

In the trial, the civil court heard testimony that a navy training officer sat on his abdominal region and slapped him repeatedly during training.

On May 19, 2018, he was confirmed dead at the Lumut Military Hospital.

In a media statement, the navy said the graduate cadet officer suffered chest pain and shortness of breath at his hostel after undergoing his daily training and was sent to the hospital for treatment.

The doctor on duty was said to have given respiratory support and treatment to the victim. However, he was pronounced dead at 1.45pm.

Then Manjung District police chief Muhammad Hanif Othman said the forensic medical report ruled out foul play and that Soosaimanicckam died of fluid in the lungs. The case was classified as sudden death.

However, the Ipoh High Court yesterday ruled that Soosaimanicckam died due to homicide, thus quashing an earlier Coroner’s Court open verdict over his death.

Counsel Latheefa Koya acted for the family.

Senior federal counsel Nur Ezdiani Roleb and Federal Counsel Abdul Hakim Abdul Karim appeared for the government.

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