Appeal for Health Ministry
HEALTH is wealth. Thus, every nation’s first priority should be the health of its citizens and, by extension, the health of its doctors.
Yet, in this year’s budget, the allocation for health was cut by RM280mil.
The Government would like us to believe that this did not have any adverse impact on the public health sector. Well, I personally know two medical consultants working on contract after retirement whose services were terminated. There would be many others too as the Health Ministry was unable to continue paying their salaries due to the cut in its operational budget.
This means that government hospitals are deprived of the service and guidance of such experienced professionals. Those who lost out are not just the patients but also the younger doctors who could have learned so much from them.
Then there is the problem of not enough doctors and specialists in public hospitals. Yet, medical graduates have to wait for months and even up to a year to get their posting for internship.
With the tough economic situation facing the people right now, many do not have the funds to seek treatment in private hospitals, resulting in overcrowded government hospitals.
So, despite the many private hospitals around, government hospitals still shoulder the brunt of the nation’s healthcare.
My husband and I were at the urology clinic last month and the ophthalmology clinic this month, a span of 31 days. At both clinics, there were big crowds. Doctors and nurses worked right through their lunch hour. But I wonder how long they can work like this before their health suffers.
People are often quick to complain but how many know and appreciate the conditions under which they work? It’s no wonder that many government doctors want to leave the service.
The doctors who attended to us during their lunch hour were not at all in a hurry to see the back of us. Instead, they took their time to do all the necessary tests to reach the diagnosis. These are our unsung heroes and heroines. Our special appreciation goes to Dr Arun (urology), Dr Thaya and Dr Yong (both of ophthalmology).
Then there is the problem of maintenance of physical facilities and medical equipment. While we were at the urology clinic, and then at the ophthalmology centre a month later, the digital numbering system for calling patients was not functioning. Nurses had to resort to calling patients by name. How long does it take to repair such a system? Is it because there is a shortage of funds?
We also read the report of a woman giving birth while trapped in a hospital lift for one hour! There must be more unreported cases of being trapped in a hospital lift as I myself was also trapped once. Thankfully, no one has
died while trapped in a hospital lift. And what about the frequent breakdown of CT scanners, mammogram machines, radiotherapy equipment, and etc.? Just imagine patients travelling all the way to the hospital only to be told the machine has broken down and they have to reschedule their appointment!
What about a field of vision machine whose lens is being held in place by a piece of plaster? Will the readings be accurate? Hopefully, this particular machine has been properly repaired by now. I will know in my next appointment.
The long and short of this is to appeal to the Government to increase allocation to the Health Ministry, and also for the Health Ministry to use every single sen with prudence. The health, and therefore the wealth, of the nation is in your hands.
GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL PATIENT
Klang
Source: The Star Online