After 12 Years

23 March 2000. 30 March 2000. 03 July 2000.

Those were the only times that I'd ever been to the Klinik Kesihatan. I remember feeling a bit disgusted after each visit, as the place was packed with people with all sorts of illnesses. So, after each visit, I'd come home and wash myself from head to toe.

Another thing that gave me a sense of revulsion was seeing the sneer on the face of a lewd medical officer. It did not help that I had to strip to my waist and put on a hospital gown to get an X-Ray done.

Back in 2000, I visited the clinic because I needed to do my medical check-up for my appointment into civil service. I'd no choice but to go there.

Since then, however, I'd always gone private. Thankfully, I'd never had much of health problems except the regular cough and flu. Back in 2004, when I experienced some visibility problems, I'd also gone to a private eye specialist. I did an MRI at my own cost. Expensive, but necessary. And after all that money spent, I was just glad that my visibility was restored.

At the end of last year, I'd been experiencing some abnormalities. I went to a GP. The doctor scanned me and prescribed me medication. After that, my problem went away, and I thought it'd go away for good. But it did not.

It's been 11 days since it recurred. I'd endured it, but for the last few days, it seemed to get worse. The whole of today, in fact, I'd been feeling uncomfortable. It affected my mood and how I dealt with people. I was impatient, and I snapped rudely at someone who'd called me today. She'd only wanted to make an enquiry, but I was not nice.

That was it. I had to go to the doctor's. I endured school till 2.00 p.m., and even stayed on for a meeting which was held till 4 p.m. (good grief!). All the time, I was impatient and disinterested. I believe I was even rude at times.

So after the meeting, I was on my way to my GP, when suddenly I had an urge to detour to the Klinik Kesihatan instead. I did not know its opening hours, but I thought I'd just give it a go.

The afternoon shift was over by the time I reached there at 4.30 p.m. I made an enquiry at the registration counter, and the lady there mentioned something about 5.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. I did not quite catch what she said. Anyway, she registered me. I paid RM1.00 because I did not have a letter from my school, confirming that I was in civil service. I was no. 7 in the queue, to see the medical officer in Room 7.

Then, the waiting started. It made me restless. There was nothing to do except to sit down and wait. I observed my surroundings, taking in the CNY decor, the health posters, the organisational chart, among other things. Each time the doors to the consultation rooms opened, I turned to look. I saw medical officers inside and they were playing with their mobile phones.

Why weren't they doing their job? What time would they begin their consultation? How long did I have to wait? There happened to be an elderly uncle nearby so I asked him when they would commence seeing patients, and he said 5.00 p.m. - 9.30 p.m.

So while I waited some more, I observed the staff. They amused me, actually. They walked here and there. They'd go into a room and come out from another room. Then, they'd punch out when it was time to go home. I suppose it was standard practice for one person to punch out for many of his or her colleagues who'd left earlier. I saw many nurses doing so, and right in front of the patients!

At 5.20 p.m., the beeper came alive as it signalled for patients to go into Room No. 7. Hurry, I urged and before long it was my turn. I must thank my lucky stars that the officer in-charge was a full-fledged doctor, and not a mere medical assistant. She ordered a blood test for me, and so I made my way to the lab to get it done. It took but 10 minutes as there were no patients in the queue. I brought the results back to the doctor, and she pronounced it normal. Hallelujah!

She then prescribed me some medication and advised me to return if the problem persisted. Medicine was collected at the pharmacy, and the medication was exactly the same as the one prescribed by my GP. Only that this time, the dosage was doubled.

My medication

17 Jan 2012.

That is a good 12 years since my last visit, and it is as not as repulsive as I have found it to be the last time. Rest assured, I'll be making my way back there whenever necessary (Touch wood!).