Chong Eng

I went to the Bukit Mertajam Hospital this morning for regular check up . It was 8.10am. The young lady at the counter did not recognise me as an MP. I asked for Dr. Fauziah, who saw me when i came the first time. She was attending meeting in Penang. I asked for Dr.Letchumi and was told she has been  transfered to the Penang General Hospital. The young lady at the counter obviously did not recognise me as an MP and she suggested i see Dr. Tan. So i queued, as some one to two hundered others at the out-patients section.

I should had came on the 8th of May. I missed the appointment because i was attending parliament sittings. My medicine is finishing and i need to check my blood glucose level.

I  was given a blood test form in my last visit. I left it in KL. So I have to see the Doctor first to get another form. I waited with all others. Most of them are senior citizens. There are men and women of all races. Some were accompanied by their children. They waited patiently. Me too.

At 9am my number was called. Dr. Tan is a young lady, pregnant. I tried to explain why i miss my appointment and she immediately asked :“ do you still have the medcine? ”I answer yes and she said how come you still have medicine? you did not take your medicine regularly? I said I was attending parliament and sometime i forget. The word parliament did not bring any meaning to her. Her only concern was i did not take my medicine regularly.

She gave me a form to go to room 10 for blood test. The result only will be out in one week’s time. So while waiting she would give me a month supply of medicine. I had wanted to ask the doctor some questions like had my condition improved should i reduce medicine dosage and how do i know that my condition has improved? But I left the room without asking her because she called me aunty and i guessed she treat me just like anyone else- she did not think i could have some informed questions. I have no doubt that she would treat me differently if she knew I am a member of parliament.

I cam out of the room and went to room 10 to give my paper. There are quick a few waiting for their turn to let Mr Lau to take their blood.  I decided  to go to pharmacy section to get my medicine ,for which, I have to queue again to get a number for before the medicine. I got my number. It was 583. The number appeared on the screen was 536. As I have to wait for some time I decided to go back to room 10 to see whether it is my turn to draw blood. The queue was still long. While I was looking for a seat, a woman came to tell me my name was called at the pharmacy section. Obviously the lady at the counter who gave me the number recognised me and she prepared my medicine first. I went back there to asked for my medicine. A younger  lady at the counter said not your turn yet. But the man next to her recognised me and he said: oh, sorry, it’s you. It’s ready, just a minute.

I collected my medicine and waited for another 20 minutes at room 10. By the time Mr Lau called my name it was more than 90 minutes counting from the minute I obtained my number from the receiption counter, the standard service time set by the Health Ministry. I walked out of the hospital at 10.50am. I have to come back in two weeks time to get my blood test result.

Life is tough as a commoner. I would have chosen a private hospital if not for wanting to check the quality of service at the government hospital in my constituency.