KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 ― The Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed the death of a newborn baby in Johor Baru on February 4 was due to shortness of breath (asphyxia) after the baby's head was stuck in the mother's perineum during a footling breech delivery at home.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the birth of the baby was also supervised by an individual who was not a certified health personnel.

"The MOH has strong evidence and witnesses for this case and the Sultan Ismail Hospital has also lodged a police report on the matter,” he said in a statement here tonight.

Noor Hisham, however, said no MoH staff had been called by the police to give statement on the case so far.

"The MoH views the case seriously and expresses regret over the incident as it is an avoidable infant mortality case. Our condolences to the parents and families of the baby,” he added.

The case has gone viral on social media after the baby was said to have died of complications while under the alleged supervision of a doula. ― Bernama