Singapore's Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board (TCMPB) has published its grounds of decision regarding a shocking case of negligence involving a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner, Mr. Chua Kah Gay. The incident left a patient, identified as Mr. A, suffering from physical injuries and prolonged discomfort after acupuncture needles were left in his body following treatment.

The complaint was submitted to the TCMPB on 9 October 2021, recounting an incident that occurred on 19 September 2021 at a clinic where Mr. Chua practiced. According to the complainant, Mr. A, he visited the clinic around 3 pm for acupuncture treatment targeting areas on his body and head.

Following the procedure, Mr. Chua removed the needles, and Mr. A proceeded to the restroom. However, upon wearing his slippers, he experienced sharp pain and discovered an unremoved needle embedded in the area near his toe.

Mr. A left the clinic around 7 pm but began experiencing dizziness, pain, and discomfort later that evening. Around 10 pm, he touched his head and discovered another needle had been left there. The complainant returned to the clinic, but Mr. Chua had already left for the day. Instead, a massage therapist, Ms. S, removed the needle at approximately 10:15 pm

The complainant reported bleeding from the site where the needle had been lodged in his head. He also experienced dizziness, migraines, and vomiting, which persisted even weeks later.

Mr. Chua only contacted Mr. A three days later, on 22 September 2021, when the complainant informed him of his ongoing symptoms, including headaches and dizziness that prevented him from working.

After examining the evidence and documentation, the TCMPB determined that Mr. Chua had failed to provide adequate clinical care, resulting in negligence. The board noted several key points:

Failure to Remove Needles: Mr. Chua neglected to remove two acupuncture needles, one from Mr. As toe and another from his head.

Lack of Needle Count Records: Mr. Chua failed to document the needle count during and after the procedure.

Insufficient Post-Treatment Care: Mr. Chua did not take sufficient steps to ensure that no needles were left in the patient's body or provide appropriate post-treatment care.

Patient Harm: Mr. A suffered physical injuries, including pain, discomfort, bleeding, and ongoing symptoms such as dizziness and migraines.

The TCMPB ruled that Mr. Chua's actions constituted a breach of multiple regulations under the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Act 2000. His negligence violated:

Section 19(1)(f) of the Act, read with Regulation 2(2)(a) and 2(2)(b) of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners (Practice, Conduct and Ethics) Regulations.

Section 19(1)(i) of the Act, for conduct amounting to negligence.

The board imposed the following penalties:

A 3-month suspension of Mr. Chua's registration as a TCM practitioner.

A formal ceremony.

An undertaking by Mr. Chua to avoid similar conduct in the future, as determined by the TCMPB.

Payment of the costs and expenses related to the inquiry.

Source: World Of Buzz