Seeking relief for inflation pinch at govt hospitals

Last week, I had the privilege of attending to a pleasant middle-aged lady at our outpatient specialist's clinic.

Despite having to wait for hours at times, this lady, whose son works as an obstetrician and gynaecologist (O&G) at a private hospital and daughter-in-law runs a private General Practice (GP), waited patiently for her number to be called.

“I may spend more time waiting to see the doctor but I don’t mind,” she said. Following the petrol price hike last month, its knock-on effects, particularly the spiralling prices of groceries and transport, have hit everyone hard.

Thus, it is not surprising to see more people seeking treatment in government hospitals, where treatment (consulation, blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound, other scans and medications worth hundreds of ringgit per patient per month) is being given for a nominal sum of RM 5 at specialist's clinics and RM 1 at outpatient clinics.

With government hospitals dispensing better and more efficient service, the long queues here are set to be longer.