Impatient wait for new hospital

Severe shortage: The Kampar Hospital has only 68 beds. – By RONNIE CHIN/The Star

FOR years, Kampar folk in Perak have been hearing about a new district hospital that is slated to replace the 71-year-old Kampar Hospital.

To them, it is a necessity as the existing facility in Jalan Hospital, Kampung Masjid, can no longer accommodate the needs of visitors, patients or even its medical staff.

Teacher Siti Azura Dzulkifli, 39, who goes there for her children’s check-ups, opined that the existing hospital could no longer handle the volume of patients.

“We have heard talk of a new hospital for ages but it has not been constructed yet.

Patients have to wait for hours at the Kampar Hospital to see a doctor. – Photos by RONNIE CHIN/The Star

“Kampar is such a big district, with thousands of people, yet our hospital is in a poor state,” she said.

“I think it’s because the current hospital is so small, it doesn’t have enough specialists based here.

“I once waited for more than five hours just for a specialist to attend to my child.

“We need a hospital with better facilities, more parking spaces and specialists who are permanently stationed at the hospital,” she added.

“The staff, especially the nurses, have been very helpful. When my late mother and late brother were admitted, the staff did a great job in providing medical care.

Finding parking on the narrow roads is a hassle for the hospital’s visitors.

“However the hospital does not have enough facilities and the wards are often crowded,” said Siti Azura.

“Once, an accident occurred in Malim Nawar involving more than five cars and the emergency unit was crowded not only with the victims, but also other patients who were already there.

“There is an urgent need for a hospital with a bigger and better emergency ward,” she added.

Teenager G. Maga Letchumy, 16, who accompanies her wheelchair-bound aunt, M. Vimala, 50, for a health check-up every few months, said some of the facilities at the hospital were not in good condition.

“The services are good but the hospital needs proper facilities such as better wheelchairs and bigger wards,” she said.

Maga Letchumy expressed worry that the new hospital would be far from their house.

Maga Letchumy, who accompanies her aunt for health checks every few months, says there needs to be shuttle buses to the new hospital.

“Since I don’t drive, we usually take an ehailing car to the hospital from our house in Bandar Baru Kampar. A return trip is usually around RM10.

“I heard that the new hospital will be slightly further and we will probably have to spend more on transportation. It is a concern as it will impact our finances. My family doesn’t earn much,” she said.

“Perhaps when there is a new hospital, there can be free shuttle services for people like my aunt and me,” she added.

A businessman who wished to be known only as Loh, 51, said he hoped that the new hospital project would be expedited.

“The talk of building a new hospital has been ongoing since 2016.

“We have seen a change of government several times but still no new hospital has materialised,” he said.

“I was born at the Kampar Hospital and one of my children went there a few times. The condition of the hospital just seems to be getting worse. Fortunately, the staff there are friendly and helpful.

“These days, we just drive to Ipoh to either Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital or to one of the private hospitals there,” he added.

Loh said he hoped there would be lots of amenities surrounding the location for the new hospital.

“The current hospital is located in the middle of town.

Sivanesan says the new hospital will be equipped with at least 200 beds.

“It is easier for patients to go to the bank or restaurants nearby while waiting for their turn to see a doctor, so I am hoping to see similar facilities available at the new location,” he said.

“People in Kampar deserve a better medical facility. Places like Tapah and Slim River have big hospitals while our hospital has yet to be improved,” he lamented.

Perak health committee chairman A. Sivanesan had said in December 2022 that the new district hospital would be built within five years.

He said the state had identified a piece of 24.28ha land in Kampung Changkat Baru, and was in the midst of acquiring it back from private land owners.

Recently, Sivanesan said the land for the new hospital was located in the middle of Malim Nawar, Keranji and Tanjung Tualang.

“The land is strategically located and is accessible by all in the district.

Patients say the hospital needs better wheelchairs and bigger wards.

“There is also a huge space for expansion as the hospital will only occupy one-third of the land, which means that we can have more parking bays.

“The new hospital will be equipped with at least 200 beds,” he added.

On the existing hospital, Sivanesan acknowledged that there were at least six major complaints.

“The road leading to the hospital is narrow and steep, and may increase the possibility of accidents.

“The hospital has also informed me that it received complaints that the wheelchairs used by patients are in poor condition.

“The hospital is in need of a bigger waiting area for patients, while the women and paediatric wards are often fully occupied and crowded,” he said, noting that the hospital is in need of more parking spaces too.

“The hospital currently has 68 beds, including 30 beds in the men’s ward, 20 beds in the women’s ward, 14 in the paediatric ward and the remaining four in the maternity ward,” he added.