CGH Holds Up for Late Cancer Diagnosis – A Rough Ride for Ms Noor Azlin
What Went Wrong?
Changi General Hospital (CGH) was found negligent in the case involving Ms Noor Azlin Abdul Rahman, a 39‑year‑old who’s now battling Stage IV cancer that has spread to her brain. The court said the hospital failed to put in place a proper system that could have caught the lung tumour early. Because of that delay, the cancer only flagged when it had already reached a lymph node.
Key Court Findings
- Negligence by the hospital – CGH’s lack of solid follow‑up procedures was deemed the main culprit.
- Doctor Imran’s slip – The respiratory specialist who visited Ms Noor in 2007 did not discharge her without a clear follow‑up plan, even when she still had an “opacity” in her lungs.
- No proof of early cancer – The court could not prove that Ms Noor actually had cancer in 2007, so the doctor was not found personally liable.
- Radiologists recommended follow‑ups in 2010 and 2011, but nothing was recorded by senior doctors who chose not to check her again.
- Missing documentation “made accountability impossible,” the court added.
Ms Noor’s Battle Continues
Ms Noor was forced to repeatedly visit the emergency department (2007, 2010, 2011) for that lingering lung opacity. After the 2007 visit, the doctor told her “just come back if you’re still ailing,” and she never did.
Despite a refusal from Dr Imran to accept liability, the Court of Appeal urged CGH to settle “for expediency,” recognising Ms Noor’s ongoing physical and emotional strain. “An amicable settlement would help her focus on fighting cancer and give her a sense of closure,” the court said.
Personal Touches from Ms Noor
When her lawyer, Mr Vijay Kumar Rai, broke the news of the favorable judgment, Ms Noor cried – but relieved. She’s still on the edge of the hospital wards: a recent admission for breathing problems ended with a discharge.
“I do not want to look like a cancer patient,” she said, insisting on a touch of makeup during a photo shoot. She’s juggling a part‑time role at a corporate secretarial firm – a generous chief‑executive who’s backing her financially.
With insurance not covering the entire cost of her expensive medication, she continues to manage her budget her best she can. “I’ve got no cure for Stage IV, but I’ll fight until I’m out of breath,” she quoted. “I love my life and my people too much to leave my mum worried.”
Family Support
Her 73‑year‑old mother and 81‑year‑old father live with her. Support from family has proven to be a major lifeline amid the bleak medical realities.
Wrap‑Up
The verdict states that while CGH was clearly negligent, Dr Imran was not personally liable because the disease hadn’t yet manifested. The court’s granular critique of CGH’s internal paperwork and failure to keep a detailed record shows how procedural lapses can ultimately alter a patient’s destiny.
Closing Note
Ms Noor’s case is a stark reminder that hospitals’ internal housekeeping matters can have life‑changing consequences. Those who deliver medical care must keep every follow‑up on the radar – or risk sending anguish straight to the patient’s doorstep.
