For seven years, the 80km round trip between his home in Masai and Kota Tinggi for dialysis was a punishing routine for S. Turasamy.
Living with two failed kidneys, the 72-year-old often found the journey, which he takes three times a week, as physically draining as the treatment itself.
However, the recent partial opening of Hospital Pasir Gudang (HPG) has finally brought relief closer to home.
“Previously, I had to go all the way to Kota Tinggi for treatment because the two existing government hospitals here were too congested.
“I was spending about 40 minutes each way travelling to and from Kota Tinggi Hospital for treatment.
“It was exhausting. Now, the new hospital is just 10 minutes from my house, saving me a lot of time and energy,” he said when met at Hospital Pasir Gudang.
Turasamy said the smaller crowd at the new hospital had also led to shorter waiting times, making his visits less tiring.
He was among the early patients benefitting from the 304-bed facility in Bandar Seri Alam, which is being phased into operation to alleviate pressure on Johor’s healthcare system.
Restaurant owner Marhadi Bachok, 51, who has a heart condition, shared similar sentiments.
He previously endured waiting for four hours at Masai Health Clinic or going on hour-long trips to Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI).
“Now, I only need to wait about five minutes to see the doctor.
“It is just half an hour from my house in Tanjung Langsat,” he said, adding that the efficiency had made managing his schedule much easier.
Cafe assistant A. Thilagavathi, 48, who suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes, said she now only needed to wait less than an hour to see a doctor.
“This hospital is slightly further for me compared to Pasir Gudang Health Clinic, where I normally go for my follow-ups.
“However, the significant drop in waiting time makes up for it.
“Instead of waiting for three hours, I can now get everything done within just one hour,” she said, adding that the healthcare staff were also very welcoming.
Nevertheless, it was not all smooth sailing for the hospital’s early days.
Factory worker Vekelin Osing, 48, who was at the facility for a mammogram screening, said she encountered limited Internet connectivity.
Information technology support worker Wong Rong Hao, 26, who was accompanying his mother for her appointment, noted similar problem.
“I could use mobile data in the lobby, but once I went into the orthopaedic clinic, there was no connection.
“This could be a problem during emergencies,” Wong said, adding that his mother was recently referred to the new hospital from HSI.
Customer service executive Nur Aimi Aqilah Ahmad Bakri, 38, who is eight months pregnant, said although the waiting time was still a few hours long, it was significantly better than the wait at other health facilities.
“Previously, I came to the emergency department because I thought I was bleeding, but it turned out to be excessive discharge.
“I am now back here for a follow-up at the obstetrics and gynaecology department.
“I waited about two hours to see the doctor, as there were around 30 patients before me, but it is still better compared to other hospitals,” she said.
Hospital Pasir Gudang, completed in June last year, saw its official August opening delayed due to technical issues and manpower shortages.
The partial opening of Hospital Pasir Gudang has brought relief to some patients. — Filepic
Marhadi says the efficiency has made managing his schedule much easier.
Thilagavathi says she now only needs to wait less than an hour to see a doctor.
Turasamy says the new hospital is just 10 minutes from his house, which saves him time.
Wong says he noticed that the hospital has issues with Internet connectivity.
