The Malaysian Insight

THE doctor who first examined Kim Jong-nam at the airport clinic said that a mixture of blood, vomit and saliva was found in his throat, but maintained that the North Korean was very much alive during the entire time at the clinic.

Nik Mohd Adzrul Ariff, who works at the Menara Clinic at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2, said he immediately performed an intubation procedure, where a tube is inserted through the mouth into the trachea, to increase Kim’s oxygen saturation.

Nik Adzrul said he also administered adrenaline and endorphins shots to increase the victim’s oxygen saturation rate which had dipped dangerously below 40%.

He said Kim was exhibiting classic signs of a seizure.

Nik Adzrul is the fourth witness to be called in the murder trial, where two suspects stand to face the death sentence if found guilty of killing Kim on February 13 by smearing a chemical substance on his face.

Indonesian Siti Aishah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong have pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Yesterday, the clinic’s medical assistant, Rabiatul Adawiyah Mohd Sofi, said Kim repeatedly thumped on the clinic counter with his left hand while seated on the chair as she examined him.

He was alive, but clearly in pain, she said, adding that his eyes were bloodshot and that he was sweating profusely.

“The patient said there was something on his face so I took some facial tissues and wiped his face but his face still looked like he was sweating,” said Rabiatul.

Kim was later taken by ambulance to Putrajaya Hospital, where medical assistants could no longer detect vital signs upon arrival.

Two pathologists, Dr Md Shah Mahmood and Dr Norashikin Othman, are slated to be the next witnesses today. – October 3, 2017.