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Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong after meeting Dr Yusoff Ahmad, Head of the Outpatient Department, Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH) on 29.4.2004.

Health service is a bottomless pit. People always look for a better care. The better the service, the higher the demand. Malaysians are asking for an improved service.

Outpatients and inpatients in hospitals all over the world often face problems. Malaysian hospitals especially KLH are no exception. The situation in the country is not the worst nor the best among nations.

This year, the allocation for the Health Ministry is RM8.997 billion, out of which RM 810 million and RM 118.2 million have been given to the management of all government hospitals and outpatient departments respectively. Inpatients get RM 223.75 million. The ministry should make full use of these allocations.

KLH Outpatient Department is the busiest in the country and the region. There are twelve rooms with 12 doctors attending to over 1,200 patients daily. Patients complain about shortage of experienced doctors, waiting a long time, certain tests like CT scans, ultrasound and MRI taking up to two months. Radiotherapy may not be immediately available.

The Health Minister Datuk Chua Soi Lek has asked KLH to submit a report on outpatients. He should make it public. Meanwhile, the Government must overcome the shortage of doctors. It employs foreign doctors, many of whom serve in clinics in rural areas. In an ideal condition, KLH should post more experienced doctors to the outpatient department; they supervise younger doctors.

The ministry should allocate RM2 to 3 million as soon as possible to renovate the KLH Outpatient Department. This can come from the RM118.2 million for outpatients for the whole country.

Prepare for SARS

There is a need to prepare for SARS that has recurred in China. Fortunately, the Chinese Government has taken immediate action. Now, tourists from China continue to enter Malaysia. On entering the country, they should be checked for SARS. Although the Government talks about imposing anti-SARS measures at places of entry such as airport, customs and excise, it has to be more alert against the bird flu. Outpatient Departments ought to be ready for detecting SARS suspect.

We require a more transparent health ministry, giving out reliable information on the latest development about SARS. Knowing the truth, the public may be more cooperative.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw