Hosp staff barred from accepting gifts, fees for mortuary services, Health Ministry warns
'Hospital staff are prohibited from receiving any gift, contribution, payment, or inducement that could be considered a bribe or corruption in managing deceased patients,' the ministry said in a circular dated April 21.
This includes providing information or personal details of the deceased to external parties or individuals involved in funeral management,' it added.
Any wrongdoing or corrupt activity related to mortuary services must be reported, it said.
The ministry said the hospital's role ends once the remains are handed over to the deceased's family.
ALSO READ: Five hospital staff charged with bribery over mortuary services
It added that the deceased's family is responsible for managing the remains, and the hospital is not allowed to recommend any funeral services to them.
Hospitals may, however, provide a list of funeral service operators from the state Islamic religious council, but it is up to the next of kin to choose their preferred service.
Hospitals do not provide funeral management services such as bathing, shrouding, embalming, or transporting the body overseas.
However, in cases involving victims of gruesome accidents, decomposed bodies, infectious disease patients, or other situations deemed appropriate by the Forensic Department, the hospital may provide a bathing room if available.
'The state health department and hospital authorities must ensure these guidelines are implemented with integrity, quality, and professionalism to guarantee proper management of deceased patients per regulations,' it said.
Last year, five staff members of a government hospital in Seremban were charged with accepting bribes ranging from RM600 to RM2,250 for mortuary services between 2021 and 2023.
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