Other News
November 05, 2009 13:13 PM
Excellence And Profesionalism Still The 'Domain' Of Public Hospitals
By Zulkiple Ibrahim
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- At times, we may hear about complaints and grouses over the claims of 'below par' and shoddy services at public health institutions like hospitals and medical centres, either the long waiting time at the outpatient clinic/department or the long queues at the dispensary/pharmacy.
So were the dissatisfaction that cropped out against other services as well as the so-called 'unfriendly' attitude of some healthcare personnel.
However, did these complaints really mirror the quality of sevices provided by the public health sector?
"To me, definitely not!" exclaimed former teachers training college lecturer Ismail Ibrahim.
For those who have the same view as that offered by Ismail, the issue over dissatisfactory services can occur at any health institutions, either in the public or private sector.
"It cannot be denied, that occassionally these problems may happen in public hospitals but the same thing can also occur in private hospitals.
"But if such issues occurred at public hospitals, then the public attention would be greater, what more some of the issues were blown out of proportions by the media reports. When the same incidents happened in private hospitals, not much attention and care was given.
"To me, this is typical of human nature. Anything that happened at public institutions like hospitals and other agencies will defintely draw the attention as these organisations operate on government funds and therefore they have the responsibility and accountability," he said.
QUICK TO COMPLAIN, RELUCTANT TO COMPLIMENT
"It is a habit (of Malaysians), if there are problems then they would quick to pull the trigger and point their fingers causing an uproar but it is rather strange as they are not so generous when giving out praises and compliments against good deeds done," according to Halimatun Saadiah Ramli who is a nurse at a public medical centre here.
For Halimatun, there were many among the public who enjoyed excellent treatment or the very least, satisfactory, at public hospitals but ironically they felt that it was not necessary to express their gratitude publicly.
"But if you go into the wards at public hospitals, then you may come across 'Thank You' cards displayed. These cards were sent by the patients and their families.
"This is the evidence that they were indebted to the doctors and nurses who worked hard without knowing the limits of labour and time.
"It is a good thing to give compliments when the need arises, but we (public health institutions) should refrain from being too proud and claim that we are the best," she added.
CHEAP, COMFORTABLE AND WORLD-CLASS TREATMENT
Government retiree, Hashimah Madon, said the public sectors practised a high standard for the quality of their services.
"Despite many complaints were hurled against public health institutions, many of them offered quality services apart from being affordable, comfortable and 'world class," she said.
According to Hashimah, she was recently admitted to a public medical centre.
"I developed chest pains and had to undergo angioplasty. I was warded for five days. Just imagine, the bill came only to RM15 (RM3 for a day) as a lot of the charges were waived because I am a government pensioner. Now where else can you find such a service?
"If I was admitted into a private hospital, then the bill could run into thousands of ringgit. Fortunately I am a former civil servant...the government is so caring for people like me, the workers in the civil sector," she said.
FOR ALL MALAYSIANS
A senior nursing officer at the same medical centre, said public hospitals were for all Malaysians regardless of their place in the society.
"Private health institutions are only for those who can afford the charges. In fact there are those who are wealthy who prefer to seek treatment at the public hospitals as their efficiency and professionalism is an established fact.
"Most of the best medical brains in the country are still serving in the public hospitals like the teaching hospitals natiowide," the nursing officer said.
In the Budget 2010 tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the Dewan Rakyat last Oct 23, the government allocated RM14.8 billion for the construction of new hospitals and clinics apart from upgrading the facilities at existing ones.
The government would also expand the community health clinics in the rural areas to the urban zones in the form of '1Malaysia' Clinic.
These clinics would operate in shop lots and provide treatment for ailments like cough, fever and flu to the public from 10am to 10pm daily.
EXCELLENCE AND PROFESIONALISM
Recently this writer had the 'opportunity' to gauge the level of efficiency and professionalism at a public hospital.
After developing chest pains while taking a bath, he decided to seek treatment at a public medical centre.
As soon as he arrived at the Accident and Emergency Unit, the frontline personnel there immediately attended to him.
A nurse then promptly wheeled him into the Acute Treatment Hall where preliminary medical asistance was given. Then a team of doctors 'hawked' over him giving the necessary treatment apart from conducting the required tests.
Within a short while, a specialist who was on call also attended to him.
After he was stabilised, the writer was admitted into coronary care ward and two days later, a cardiologist performed an angiogram on him.
He was discharged at about midnight the same day.
Now that episode could be a reflection of the 'excellence and profesionalism being the domain of public hospitals'.
-- BERNAMA
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