Head of the emergency department, 96 Hospital Angkatan Tentera (HAT) Lumut, Colonel Dr Nik Noor Nik Amin, 48, said this was based on his experience dealing with military training in the past.
The seventh defence witness, a serving medical officer of 20 years standing, said that on May 19, 2018, Soosaimanicckam was brought in unconscious to the hospital’s emergency department.
He added that Soosaimanicckam was not breathing and had no pulse.
“Initial cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was started by the on-duty paramedics and early resuscitation treatment was provided by the attending medical officers.
“According to the basic life support (BLS) treatment guidelines, paramedics immediately began CPR, and oxygen and intravenous fluids were administered,” he said when reading out his statement before judge Idah Ismail.
He was testifying during the hearing of a suit filed by Soosaimanicckam’s father, S Joseph, against a group of RMN officers, the RMN chief, the Malaysian armed forces council, the defence minister and the government, all named as defendants.
“Heatstroke can occur when an individual performs exercises such as running, but it depends on the fitness level of the individual concerned,” Nik Noor said when questioned by lawyer Latheefa Koya, representing Soosaimanicckam’s family.
When re-examined by federal counsel Abdul Hakim Abdul Karim regarding the cause of Soosaimanicckam’s death, the witness said the victim’s friends also required treatment at HAT for heatstroke.
“Furthermore, Soosaimanicckam’s blood tests indicated heatstroke, and the symptoms the victim experienced lasted a short period of three to four days.
“Based on these facts, I am confident that the victim’s death was due to heatstroke,” Nik Noor said.
In the lawsuit filed on May 19, 2021, Soosaimanicckam’s family is alleging negligence on the part of the defendants for failing to provide emergency treatment when the victim collapsed on the day of the incident, and in monitoring his well-being and health during training sessions.
On July 29 this year, the High Court ruled that Soosaimanicckam’s death was a homicide and that the cause of death was pulmonary oedema due to leptospirosis.
The court also ruled that his untimely death was a direct consequence of RMN officers in charge of the cadet training denying Soosaimanicckam medical treatment.
The trial continues on Sept 9.