THE CRY FROM A DOCTOR'S HEART

Posted by Unknown On Saturday, March 27, 2010 57 comments
Last night, an anonymous reader at 10.23pm told me about Dr. Hsu's article HERE which highlights the problems which could possibly occur in the future as a result of the sudden increase in the number of medical schools. In another post HERE, I had also highlighted some problems caused by the changing landscape of health care in Malaysia. This morning, I thought I'd share with you the heartfelt response of a blog reader who is a very dedicated doctor. His response certainly moved me deeply and I hope it gives you a better picture of the predicament faced by doctors in public service.




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I find that perception of healthcare in Malaysia is still very lacking. The 'spin'ful media have faired brilliantly in masking the truth.

Did you know that the working hours of government doctors is against what's enshrined in labor laws around the world? Only in Malaysia does the labor law exempt the medical field from FAIR PLAY and DECENT HUMANLY WORKING HOURS, because of necessity. So necessity justifies abuse of doctors? Why OAs march, and lawyers, but not doctors?

Doctors are not allowed to have unions..

JPA scholars who've studied medicine locally(more so abroad i should assume!) are bonded 7-10 years with the government, at their mercy..You can be denied promotions and pay increments without an option to appeal, and NO one can survive the complex process, or the time they entail..

Even today,a government medical doctor ONLY earns an overtime wage of RM2.08 per hour(passive on calls) and RM6.25 per hour (if active calls-staying in hospital). U mean for the work, responsibility and care we give whole-heartedly, ALL that we deserve are USD 0.69 cents to USD 2.08 per hour?

And is it ever published in any paper/publication how we still work the next day after on calls, meaning some of us work 24-48-72 hours straight..

I have seen doctors get involved in motor vehicular accidents when driving back home after their on calls from a long night and day with less than 1 hour of sleep.. I have seen miscarriages of pregnant doctors who were worked to the brim..doctors sleeping on stretchers as there is no place for them to sleep at night etc etc..sigh..

Its not about the money. These doctors are just asking to be paid for the work they have done, no more, based on acceptable standards worldwide. Is that too much to ask?

I guess when lawyers and other professionals have a 5 year compulsory service with the government and paid the same wages and worked the same hours, maybe only then will THEIR EYES OPEN to what suffering goes on behind the scenes..

Private wings in government hospitals. Another big sigh. The same hospital specialist doing an operation for a private paying patient at 5.01pm using government facilities, but being paid handsomely for it vs. doing the same operation for a poor patient as PART OF HIS ROLE IN THE GOVERNMENT, which does NOT say that care of a government patient ENDS at 5pm does it?

GROSS CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS can be happening in abundance and ultimately, patients suffer. BAD IDEA from the word go..

What about the 'new type' of Clinics? SIGH again. Paying RM1 to be seen by a non-doctor? It's like going to a bank and asking for an overdraft from the bank managers PA? Apples and oranges eh? NOT obvious enough for the people?? And to say it's to prevent GPs from overcharging. What hogwash..GPs work hard and their experience and dedication are beyond such simplification amounting to dollars and cents. How many GPs out there charge so much anyway? We'd happily pay RM 60 for a KFC bucket combo but not RM 40 for a doctors consultation?

I am tired, and i could go on for days regarding issues plaguing the medical field.

I beg all Malaysians to keep an open mind, that a large population of doctors out there, both in gov and in private care very much for patients, BUT have their hands and feet tied so hard that the very thought of speaking out loud or marching on the streets will be met with joblessness, shame and more.

People would say conspiracy hogwash, I say this is reality. There is more. Can you stomach more?

Dear readers, I'm so sorry for rambling on like this. This is a topic close to my heart, and i care dearly. Just wish there was a way to make a change before Armageddon.

-written by a reader-
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Please leave a comment to share your thoughts/views. Thanks! Have a lovely day!

57 comments to THE CRY FROM A DOCTOR'S HEART

  1. says:

    Ting The day will come when there are simply so many doctors that none are adequately trained. There will come a day when a doctor graduating from a medical school cannot even be placed in a houseman position.

    And that day is actually very near.

    -- Dr Hsu Dar Ren

    I can't agree more with Dr Hsu.

  1. says:

    Boleh Man Indeed many new medical schools are mushrooming in this Bolehland, giving rise to legitimate concerns on the quality of medical graduates.

    I remember my friend asking a young doctor, "Excuse me, Doc, do you know what you are doing?"

  1. says:

    Anonymous As I see it, the introduction of the 1Malaysia clinics has more political connotations than a genuine attempt by the government to provide quality health-care to the poor rakyat.

  1. says:

    Catherine Due to some very 'obvious' reasons, more and more doctors are leaving the country. Can you believe that majority of Singapore's doctors are from Malaysia?

  1. says:

    Anonymous For many parents, their children’s future is a projection of their own dreams of what it means to do well in life. No wonder many parents want their children to become doctors.

    Are they actually that 'kiasu'?

  1. says:

    QQ Each child is unique and gifted to contribute to society in many different ways.
    Perhaps, parents need to change their mindsets, and not to push their children too much!

  1. says:

    stephen Doctors in the government service are overworked and underpaid.Its no wonder they just can't wait to leave the civil service and either fly the coop across the seas or go into private practise.
    So what does that leave the poor unfortunate souls who can't afford anything more than subsidied care?
    Doctors I presume, who may be too tired to care,too fed up with the bureaucracy to give their best and too disenchanted to go the extra mile.
    The lowest in the pecking order, the wet behind the ears, sleepy eyed houseman gets the menial tasks day in and day out sometimes bungling along the way at the peril of his patients while the seniors get bogged down with career conundrums.
    The fact that this has gone on from time immemorial is testament to a system in need of a complete overhaul.The crux of the problem is that doctors are viewed under the same pretense as professionals with big fat paychecks driving exotic cars,the ones portrayed in movies and the ones you see in a big gleaming 5 star exuberance known as the specialist hospital.

  1. says:

    Dr Quek In Malaysia, government doctors are stifled by shoddy treatment after long-suffering hard work.
    Many are complaining about the low salaries, very long hours and most importantly, lack of promotion opportunities.

  1. says:

    Apa Nama Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali kisses the kris at the movement’s inaugural congress that was opened by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the PWTC in Kuala Lumpur.

    ~~ Malaysian Insider (pic)

    Well done, Ibrahim. The rakyat are looking at you, especially your true (changing) colours!

  1. says:

    Anonymous Dear Apa Nama,

    Do you mean the unprincipled Ibrahim Ali, the king frog who hops from political party to political party?

    I wonder if he is really campaigning for Malay rights and privileges?

    According to Raja Petra, this Ibrahim Ali works for Chinese like Vincent Tan.

    Please correct me if I'm wrong.

  1. says:

    Anonymous Then Doctors grduating from our Medical Schools and from all over the least developed countries will only be placed as horseman.Ramalx

  1. says:

    Loo It is imperative for the government to re-evaluate these medical schools which are churning out doctors who are of arguable qualities.

  1. says:

    Sabah Resident "Najib should give Liow Tiong Lai an ultimatum to resolve the Sabah health crisis where hospitals in Kota Kinabalu have been compared to Vietnam refugee camps or he should sack Liow and appoint new Health Minister."

    --Media Conference Statement by Lim Kit Siang in Parliament on Wednesday, 24th March 2010

  1. says:

    Anonymous The writer really scared me with this reality of life in a Malaysian doctor!! I have a daughter studying medicine in India. Sponsored by JPA, she undoubted will be bonded to serve the government for 10yrs. Hearing all the scary stories in the past as well as reading this writer's facts, I begin to fear putting my daughter into occupational situations which are so in humane after her graduation!! Being posted to a college located in a small town in India is already great suffering for her during the entire 5-6yrs, 'torturing' through another 10yrs by default after graduation is really crazy!!! Given a chance, I think I will transfer her to serve in Spore even if I have to pay the government, if nothing changes for betterment of the doctors in Msia!!!

  1. says:

    Anonymous The name of govt doctors is spoilt by that really unprofessional and low integrity Shahidan fella in the Teoh Boon Hock's inquest. I wont call him a doctor. More like a politician.

  1. says:

    Anonymous There are too many doctors out there who are not qualified to be doctors at all. I have the unfortunate experience of meeting one of them who asked me, "Who is the doctor here?"

    Not wanting to embarass him, I told him I do not need any antibiotics for a viral infection. Though he agreed with me that dengue (ie. viral infection) was a possible cause, I have no idea why I was prescribed antibiotics. I was referred to do blood test for possible dengue fever.

    Doctors in Malaysia in general are scared of losing their rice bowl. They will tell you how precious is their time and that RM40 consultation fee is justified. Come on, if you see an average of 12 patients in one hour, do you mean to say you should be paid RM480 per hour? That is to say the least that it does not include profits on unnecessary "antibiotics" prescribed.

    Doctors in Malaysia, though not all, are a lot more money minded than their counterpart in developed countries.

  1. says:

    Anonymous Sometimes doctors can make a point.

    The link man signing all those documents with glee and approving all these colleges is the DG of Health.

    Why do doctors still entertain still these corrupt officials? Why call him for opening ceremonies of meetings etc. If doctors mean what they say...they should act at least by boycotting any event that includes this most corrupt face of the government. Wrighting a million letters and articles help, but nothing works like action itself. Doctors who are concerned about this state of affairs should just say enough is enough and start acting. The MMA for a change should lead by informing all its members that it is at the end of its tether and should just go ahead and keep away from evil men such as this DG. You know what they say about evil evolving just because good men choose to do nothing. The time to act is here. And that time is now. Malaysian medicine can change. If concerned doctors choose to change.

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Ting

    I am amazed that the situation has developed to such an alarming level with the knowledge of those who could make a difference.

    Very saddening indeed.

    Take care and thanks for sharing...

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Boleh Man

    My family just had dinner with a doctor friend and he said that there are actually MORE medical schools than that reported in Dr. Hsu's article! Can you be that? And he said that now, the housemen do not face as much pressure because there are far too many housemen and not enough hours for them to work which means the exposure is reduced.

    As such, I am not at all surprised to hear about your friend's experience. Thanks for sharing!

    Cheers

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 11.05pm

    Things are never as simple as they look...There is definitely more that meets the eye....

    Thanks for sharing. Take care and have a lovely weekend.

    Cheers

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Catherine

    Oh yes - I am well aware of that. All but ONE of my classmates, juniors and seniors are practising medicine overseas, and the majority of them are in Singapore and Australia. In fact, one of them is a Prof in medicine in Harvard and has appeared in CNN as well. Big loss to Malaysia but mega gains for those countries which welcomed them with open arms.

    What a saddening thought.

    Take care and God bless you.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 12.47 pm

    Very true what you have shared. Many do not realize what the medical profession entails and live out their dreams in their children who may not enjoy medicine at all.

    We have to give our children guidance and develop a sense of responsibility so that they are able to think for themselves and know what it is they would like to pursue in their career.

    Thanks for a very caring and sensitive comment.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear QQ

    I agree with you. In my 23 years in the education industry, I have seen how some parents who were overly protective and demanding ended up pushing their children beyond limits while those who gave their kids the chance to make mistakes - ah these are the ones who are excelling!

    Parenting is not for cowards...and we need strength and wisdom to be good parents.

    Take care and God bless you for what you have shared.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Stephen

    Thank you for your trademark stylish and erudite comment which oozes with much wisdom and knowledge. It is sad that many docs in govt service have to do more than those in private hospitals and yet earn so much less. I know how hard some of these docs work and how difficult it is for them to have a family life or even enjoy the throes of falling in love.

    One of them said that is is akin to indentured labour - that is how bad they feel. Yet, many stay on because of the love for this noble profession.

    At the same time, some go into the medical profession thinking that they could be millionaires one day and are sorely disappointed and disillusioned during the initial stage of their career.

    Both seniors and juniors have their own set of problems and I take my hats off to docs who remain in public service because of their sheer dedication and calling to this noble profession.

    Take care and thanks for sharing.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Cheers

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Dr. Quek

    Very true what you have said. I am sure you are well aware of the magnitude of challenges faced in the medical profession. God bless you for your perseverance and dedication. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts.

    Take care.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Apa Nama

    They are showing their true colors and I pray the rakyat will never forget what they see, read or hear.

    Take care and God bless you.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 3.20pm

    We will know them by their actions and words....Take care and thanks for sharing.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Cheers

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 3.56 pm

    The situation is not only saddening but it is alarming as well.

    Take care and may you continue to be an inspiration to those around you.

    Salam

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Loo

    Definitely!!! But do they have the will to do that? Extending the tenure of housemanship does not solve the problem. In fact, it exacerbates the problem and tells us an underlying message.

    Take care and God bless you for your caring spirit.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Sabah Resident

    I have a doctor friend whose sister is working in the KK General Hospital and he has shared with me the many challenges faced by both the staff and patients alike. I was totally shocked to learn about this and intend to do a post on this soon.

    Sabahans - please stand up and ask for a proper hospital and better health care facilities.

    Thank you for stopping by to share your views.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 6.56pm

    Thank you for your honest and candid response to this post. What my reader has shared is indeed nothing but the truth and I believe the situation will be even more critical in time to come for obvious reasons.

    Do what you feel is right for your daughter.

    Take care and God bless you and yours.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 7.24pm

    There are many things and situations which have disappointed many Malaysians and it is time we all learn to speak up and stand up for our beliefs. Take care and God bless you for your honesty and passionate input.

    Do keep in touch.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 9.00 pm

    Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I am sure there are doctors who are dedicated and yet, there are also doctors who may be mercenary. At the same time, I believe not many can see 12 patients in an hour and I don't think they would compute charges for their services that way.

    It is a challenging landscape for doctors and I pray that each and every one of them will remain true to their Hippocratic Oath and be as dedicated and effective as they can be.

    Take care and thanks for sharing.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 9.25pm

    I salute you for your brave and courageous comment and for your stand for integrity and the readiness to walk the talk.

    You have highlighted salient points and it is time doctors have the will to make the difference.

    Yes - concerned docs MUST act to effect change.

    Thanks for sharing such a meaningful comment. Take care and do keep in touch.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Singam There are a number of separate issues, each one deserving specific attention...

    1. Overworked doctors at government hospitals - this is primarily what the writer was addressing, and this certainly needs urgent attention.

    2. Proliferation of medical schools and the mass production of sub-standard doctors - this is an ugly consequence of political interference in the education system and this has to be rectified without delay.

    3. The disappearance of Hippocratic ethics in the medical profession because of profit-minded individuals choosing medicine as a lucrative career - This will take a lot more time to address but the MMA must look into it.

    4. Income expectations of doctors who not only seek to recover the cost of pursuing a medical education but are also expected by society to live up to an expensive lifestyle - what can be done about this?

    5. The ridiculous 1Malaysia clinics that are another hare-brained PR move that will do as much if not more damage than the NS camps - these should either be shut down immediately or staffed with properly trained medical assistants who understand the limit of their scope and are supported by doctors on call.

    Some of these are more difficult to address while others should be easier to accomplish. The question is, is the Health Minister empowered, interested and capable of addressing these issues? Or is he only good for fighting political battles?

    What are the priorities of the government and the medical profession?

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Singam

    Thank you very much for summarizing the main health care issues plaguing our nation.

    I appreciate your sincere concern and stand with you and like-minded Malaysians to ask the questions that you have raised in your comment, especially the final one:

    What are the priorities of the government and the medical profession?

    I sincerely hope that the authorities concerned have the political will to put the interests of the rakyat above all else.

    Take care and may you and yours have a blessed weekend.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Anonymous A Nepalese has been caught operating as a “doctor” running an illegal clinic in the city, despite having arrived in the country with a permit to work as a security guard.

    ~~ Malaysian Insider

    Malaysia Boleh

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 8.57 am

    Thanks for the update! It is appalling how many are unscrupulous and ready to profit in illegal and unethical ways. What is happening to society and man?

    Sighs.

    Take care and God bless you and yours.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    NollanBD Yes, I do pity the government doctors. I think they are a miserable lot of people. I never see them smile although the reception nowadays are quite courteous unlike the old days when nurses are always fierce and hostile. In the last year or so since retirement, I began visiting the government hospital for medical treatment.

    In comparison with a private doctor, the government doctor I went to did not ask many questions and not interested to listen to my experience on previous medications and complaints. The doctor appointments last at the most 3 minutes!. That's when I end up getting a 3 months supply of Perindopril for my hypertension. That was when I began coughing day and night. I went to the doctor again (different one everytime) with my file. They just ask how long I had the cough, never even bother to look at my file and prescribe Diphenhydramine HCL Syrup - that happened in both of my visits and they even recommend that I go for chest x-ray. After 2 months, the cough was clearly becoming chronic and still they came up with nothing and they continue supplying the same ineffective syrup. Finally I did my own research and found out that dry cough was a probable side effect of Perindopril!.

    Armed with knowledge from my own research I decided to be very vocal about my condition, I went to the doctor and told him that I was on Perindopril and experience bad dry cough as a result and now would ask a change in medication from ACE inhibitors to Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists. I got a short response like "Yes that occurs in some patients", he did not investigate further, scribbles his prescription and I got my new supply of Ibersertan which was exactly as I "recommended". And that was hardly 1 minute with the doctor.

    The lesson to be learned here is, you cannot rely on the doctors knowledge alone to get a cure. You have to read up and learn more about your medical problems and the alternative drugs available and it's side effects, monitor your own progress with the new medication. In short you have to be at least have a compatible knowledge with the doctor in as far as your medical condition in concerned.

    God has mercy on kampung folks and those who have no access to information.

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear NollanBD

    Thank you very much for sharing from your heart. I am very sorry to hear about your experiences. I hope you have recovered and enjoying good health. To be honest, I am in retirement and if anything happens, I will also have to seek medical treatment at government hospitals. As such, I am also very concerned about current trends.

    At the same time, I have had bad experiences with doctors from private hospitals.

    In 1989, I was expecting my first child. During the third month, the gyny told me that I had an ectopic pregnancy and scheduled me for a D and C the next day.

    I was distraught and drove straight to see my principal, Mr. J. Churchman, to inform him about the situation. He advised me to go for a second opinion. I saw another doctor in another private hospital who, after doing a scan, confirmed that everything was NORMAL.

    I called up the doctor and told him that I was not going in for the D and C. He insisted he was right in his diagnosis and asked me to see him asap. Of course I did not. I did not sue him, neither did I lodge a complain with the hospital as I was very deeply relieved that all was well.

    Can you imagine what would have happened if I had not sought the advice of another doctor?

    My 21-year old son will be graduating this year. When I look back at this experience, I feel for the others who have had to suffer because of the incompetence of certain doctors. At the same time, I know there are many too who are extremely dedicated and committed to their noble profession.

    May the authorities concerned take the right steps to address the issues plaguing the health-care scenario in our country.

    Rakyat first!

    Thanks for swinging by to share your comment. God bless you!

    Shalom

  1. says:

    Anonymous Instead of addressing the weaknesses and getting better over the years, Malaysia Boleh going all out to lower the bar and keep its bonded doctors perpetually disenchanted at work. Bodoh sangat!

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 3.33pm

    It is indeed a terrible situation and one where the poor and ignorant have to pay the price while some may stand to gain.

    Sometimes, I wonder if some are really human or mere zombies walking in our midst.

    I really hope that there will arise a new breed of leaders who have the courage to make that difference which we so badly need in our nation.

    Thanks for sharing. Take care and God bless.

    Shalom

  1. says:

    Anonymous Being a doctor in the government service since 2003, all I can say is that the situation here is really bad.
    First of all, the doctors in this country are totally being treated as slaves. Literally... I think the public should know that we are not allowed to voice out our opinions and reveal to the public about all the crap that goes on cause of fear of losing our jobs and more importantly our chances to advance with our careers in the government service.
    We are trapped in the government service every step along the way... Work for 3 years to get licensed, must complete 4 years before eligible to apply for post graduate training (which is another 4 years), compulsory another 2 more years of working before eligible to apply for sub specialty training (which is another 2 to 3 years)
    You do the numbers and you can figure out why so many of us are leaving.
    Situation is really sad, the quality of doctors is really alarmingly poor these days. It is obvious from the new housemen who are currently around.
    It seems like all that is important are the numbers and not the quality.
    So at the end of the day, who are the ones who are going to suffer? The Public !!!!!!!
    The public have to realize the situation in government institutions,
    For example NollanBD's comment about the doctor spending 3 mins to consult him. That is the normal scenario. It is bad but imagine being on the other side of the table, that same doctor has to see 150 on average that day. So even if he wants to provide good service to his patient, he can't cause the system has put him a position where it is not humanly possible.
    So honestly, there is a solution to all this and it lies in the hand of the PUBLIC.... yes, the PUBLIC....
    You have to start complaining strongly about everything you don't like about the healthcare to the authorities and don't stop until some action is taken.... Complain to the directors of hospital and clinic and complain about everything and anything. That's the only way things are going to improve...
    We have to change the way we think... good healthcare is your right , not your privilege... You should demand for it....

  1. says:

    Anonymous I am going to retire in two years time. I have seen the policy of education system being implemented in this boleh land through out these years.
    I rememeber during my secondary school time, to get a grade one in GCE is very difficult. But look at today scenerio. The kids nowaday are so much smarter and straight A is so common.
    The underlying problem ,I strongly believe,is the government policy. There are so many different standards being practiced depending on situations. I do not want to elaborate more.

  1. says:

    Anonymous The other sad issue is that Petronas has wasted millions and is continue wasting millions with Prince Court Medical centre....

  1. says:

    AsianGuy I just wanted to comment that the deplorable long working hours of junior doctors is not uniquely confined to Malaysian doctors. When I was an intern in Ireland and was on call for the weekend, I used to have to cover casualty from 9 am on Friday all the way through to Monday evening at 5 pm, a stretch of 80 hours, sometimes with very little sleep in-between, depending on the workload. After sleeping Monday night, I was on call again on Tuesday and Thursday nights. This went on for 6 months.

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 6.02 pm

    God bless you and other like-minded doctors.

    Thank you for speaking up on this area which merits more attention and work

    Take care and may God bless and use you greatly to spread cheer and goodwill around.

    Cheers

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 9.01pm

    You have spoken with much wisdom and identified inherent problems in our
    system which must be addressed asap failing which, the rakyat will still be suffering.

    Cheers

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 10.40pm

    How painfully true, my friend!Indeed the situation worse then we think. Thanks for the reminder!

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Asian Guy

    Many thanks for sharing with us your experiences and reminding us of the many sacrifices that doctors have to face both locally and internationally.

    May God bless and guide you as you serve in the noble profession.

    Take care and do keep in touch!

    Salam

  1. says:

    Anonymous I believe our government let public hospitals be in sorry and sad affairs on purpose for various reasons:
    1. more reasons for rakyat to go to private hospitals, meaning more income for their cronies. remember who was behind pantai hospital?
    2. government funds can be allocated for other things like for 'development' funds, meaning more money to be siphoned away by cronies.

    and many more.....

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 11 am

    Many thanks for your sharp observation. I would not at all be surprised if this was very close to reality. Thanks for reading this post and for taking the trouble to alert us. Have a nice day!

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    missyc "Private wings in government hospitals. Another big sigh. The same hospital specialist doing an operation for a private paying patient at 5.01pm using government facilities, but being paid handsomely for it vs. doing the same operation for a poor patient as PART OF HIS ROLE IN THE GOVERNMENT, which does NOT say that care of a government patient ENDS at 5pm does it?"

    I am a patient in a private wing of a university hospital & I must say that the public side actually enjoys more privileges than the private side. Example public patients see the specialist from 8am-5pm while the private paying patients can only see from 5.01pm-8pm. When I was hospitalised & stayed in 1bedded room @RM200) I still have to pay extra for MEALS which comes 'free' for the public side (4meals a day). Most specialists at public hospitals are long serving & very dedicated thus the private wing is partly to stem the outflow of their expertise to other private hospitals. I think its unfair to paint them as charging higher fees & using the govt facility. They too pay tax you know. And I want to say the private paying patients are subsidising the cost of public paying patients.

  1. says:

    Anonymous Dear missyc,

    If indeed public paying patients enjoy more privileges, why is there a need for the private wing to begin with and why do patients, you included, choose the private wing? I am sorry if i am being blunt here, but the truth is far more complicated.

    I will try and elaborate further, from what i have personally seen as a medical professional, and do correct me if i'm wrong.

    Private paying patients circumvent the waiting time in hospitals. Some patients in the wards are housed for days waiting for operating time for non life threatening conditions, whereby a private paying patient who has a similar condition will get his/her operation done 'immediately' without delay.

    SO suddenly, the operating theater has available time and manpower?

    What happens is that a team, comprising the specialist(from the public sector) who is seeing this patient in his private wing clinic, assembles his team (the anesthetist, the nurse, the O.T nurse, the attendant, his medical officers, all also from the public side) to be present in the operating theater for this operation. The charge of this operation has to be a SIGNIFICANT amount surely, as he has to pay the other members of his team with private rates etc etc. So you see, as long as there is a demand, public resources are channeled to the MORE profitable private wing.

    Eventually, the 'urgent' public sector operations that have been scheduled, lets say even at 4.30pm, will be postponed, because one does NOT want to disrupt the running of the profitable private wing which starts anytime after 5pm. Why risk doing a lengthy operation at 4.30pm for free when one can charge 500% more for a private patient, especially those who are packaged with chunky insurance?

    This is where greed soon envelopes and the nobility of the profession will soon become a blur..I have seen it first hand, and it is tragic.

    The 2nd problem that's becoming common place is 'crony-ism'. The team that accompanies a specialist to his private venture will surely earn more, and thus, staff will keep an eagle eye over specialists who are seeking to add members to their team and lace with with 'honey' so thick it will make a bee puke. So, for example, the medical attendant will be 'extra' nice to the specialist as he wants in on the team, and so on so forth.

    Soon, this applies to medical officers, nurses and the whole shebang. In time, they will feel, why work so hard from 8am till 5pm, when working hard in the private wing after 5pm is more lucrative?

    Since there is no check and balance system in place, much abuse happens, and will continue to happen.

    I have seen public patients admitted and discharged numerous times as there is no O.T time OR the specialist is not free OR not enough staff etc etc, but if he were a private patient with insurance, *abracadabra*, the O.T is free, the specialist is available and you get my point....

    I have even seen doctors who have called in help from their colleagues to continue cardio-pulmonary resuscitation(CPR) on a patient who has collapsed in the ward close to 5pm, just so that they can attend to their private wing duties..

    It gets worse. I have even seen accident cases,where there were 2 victims, one with and another without insurance, and guess who gets the brain CT scan first?

    Recollecting these incidents leave me feeling hollow and disgusted, and especially deep shame for the profession, but if we remain mum about the negative effects of such endeavours, more abuse will surely take place.

  1. says:

    Anonymous Continuation..

    Guidelines need to be in place, and enforcement has to be strict.

    Healthcare is no joking matter, and its respectability and nobility must be guarded at all cost, even if it includes tough punishment for staff, specialists and consultants included, who abuse the system for their own gains.

    Obama took a bold first step in strengthening the delivery of healthcare to U.S citizens , and a costly one at that.

    When are we going to realize that we need help too?

    I sincerely apologize missyc, if i have offended you in anyway, as it is not my intention at all.

    If you are indeed not receiving the care that one should receive in the private wing in one of our university hospitals, i fear that the level of care in EVEN the private wings have now deteriorated. You deserve better.

    I pray you a speedy recovery and thank you for sharing your opinions.

    Take care.

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear missyc

    Thank you for sharing your views here. I hope you are on the road to recovery. Take care and God bless you.

    Best wishes

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 1.00am and 1.02 am

    Many thanks for responding to missync. I did not respond to her till a while ago because I was hoping that someone in the medical line would give a comprehensive explanation. Thankfully, you filled in that gap beautifully.

    May God bless you as you serve in this noble profession. Take care and may you and many other dedicated doctors make that difference in the lives of those with whom you come into contact.

    Thanks again. Have a nice day and please keep in touch.

    Best wishes

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