Mad scramble at Sarawak polyclinic

The Sarawak medical authorities appear to be somewhat oblivious to the mad scramble among patients just to secure a number at the Jalan Masjid polyclinic.

KUCHING: Weekday mornings at the Jalan Masjid polyclinic here, are chaotic as some 200 to 300 sick patients scramble to get numbers so that they can see a doctor.

The crowd situation is uncontrollable, almost like a stampede, with thefts and patients experiencing physical injuries as a result.

Taking-up on the many complaints from patients, Sarawak DAP’s latest recruit, Dr Tan Sie Hing, spent a day observing the goings-on at the polyclinic.

Two days ago on Wednesday, Tan who is a cardiologist parked himself at the clinic from 6.30am to 9am and noted what transpired at the clinic.

Relating his observations, Tan said most of the complaints were based on the inconveniences resulting from the merging of the counters at the polyclinic.

“The crowds are a daily occurences at the clinic. You have between 200 and 300 patients scrambling for daily medical attention at the government polyclinic.

“The patients brought the complaints to us and highlighted the long queue in getting the numbers in the morning and this has resulted in many incidents which I personally witnessed.

“This morning (Wednesday) whilst I was there from 6.30 am to 8.30 am, two patients’ wallets got stolen and police reports were made.

“One iron gate was pushed out and fell onto a lady as the crowd pushed their way to get the numbers.

“There was also a physical altercation between two persons at the glass counter trying to get the numbers,” said Tan who is now assisting Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen.

Wasted millions

Having observed the situation and listened to public complaints, Tan said the DAP would submit a few constructive suggestions to improve the safety of patients coming to the polyclinic.

He said the suggestion would also seek to understand the reasons for the merger of the counters.

Tan added that the party would suggest that the polyclinic offer two sessions – morning and evening – so as to avoid public scramble at clinic in the mornings.

He also suggested that CCTV be installed and be opened between 6.30 and 9.00am as this is the time when there is a big crowd at the clinic.

“This will be a deterrent to would-be thieves,” he said adding that he would seek to meet with Dr Zulkifli Jantan, director of the Sarawak Medical Services over the issue.

Tan said the current daily occurences was not only an inconvenience to the patients but also affected the morale of the staff at the pollyclinic.

“We have no complaints, but only praises for the staff at the clinic for their hard work and dedication.

“If we can help the patients and alleviate their problem, I am sure the staff there would enjoy a better workplace with fewer complaints,” said Tan.

Meanwhile Chong, who was also present at the press conference along with Tan, called on the government to do something about the polyclinic.

“Stop this nonsense about 1Malaysia clinic which is without a proper medical doctor. Instead the government should improve the services at the polyclinic,” he said.

Slamming Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s ’1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now’ slogan as mere propaganda, Chong said the government should concentrate on real work to improve the welfare of the patients and the working environment of the medical staff.

“This is a typical example whereby you spent millions of ringgit building 1Malaysia clinics, but leave out polyclinics.

“The polyclinic has not been upgraded for years but the population has gone up. There are 200 to 300 patients going to the clinic a day.

“The thought of such big numbers of patients will put off any doctor or medical staff and nurses,” he said alluding to the lack of interest among doctors to serve in polyclinics.