KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 – The Ministry of Health (MOH) has yet to identify why Revnesh Kumar suddenly died at age 13 years, more than a month after he died last January in over a fortnight following Covid-19 vaccination.
After meeting Revnesh’s parents — Vijayarani Govindan and L. Naresh Kumar — at MOH’s headquarters in Putrajaya earlier today, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Revnesh’s post-mortem and results of all tests that have been conducted so far, including a histological examination, will be discussed by forensic experts in a peer review session on March 7.
Histology is the study of tissues and cells under a microscope.
“The autopsy report and the results of other subsequent tests will also be submitted to the parents of the deceased after the peer-review session is completed,” Khairy explained in a press release today.
At the same time, the MOH also plans to conduct some additional tests on internal tissue samples, where they may need to be sent abroad for further examination.
“I myself have expressed a commitment to ensure immediate follow-up in this matter,” said Khairy.
“All these matters have been informed to both parents of the late Revnesh Kumar. They understood our explanations and agreed on the steps to be taken to identify the cause of death of the deceased.”
Besides the health minister, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and forensic specialist Dr Emizam Mohamadon from Serdang Hospital also joined the meeting with Vijayarani and Naresh Kumar.
In the 30-minute meeting with the couple, the MOH officials explained the recent developments in the ministry’s investigation into the cause of Revnesh’s death and MOH’s plans and commitment to identify its cause.
Khairy also assured the public that the progress of the investigation will be disclosed from time to time, as he appealed to Malaysians to respect the privacy and feelings of the family of the deceased.
“At the same time, I also urge the public not to spread false information about this death case.”
Revnesh, who received a first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine on December 30, died on January 16 after a sudden collapse.
The teenager did not report any side effects after his jab, according to both MOH and his parents.
