A not so 'Black Monday' in Klang Valley as docs' strike off to slow start

KUALA LUMPUR: After much hoo-ha and threats, the three-day contract doctors strike seems to have got off to a quiet start in Klang Valley hospitals.

Based on The Star’s observations, it is business as usual in Hospital Kuala Lumpur on Monday (April 3) morning.

An individual who wanted to be known only as Faizan, said he had been waiting for his mother at the hospital's Emergency Department since 9am.

“It’s been about an hour since she went in. The process was rather smooth compared to my previous experiences (at the Emergency Department) here,” he said.

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“It may be quite a while more before the medication is dispensed, however,” he said, adding that he anticipated being there until noon.

A woman known as Mita said her visit was a smooth experience with the entire process lasting only about 30 minutes.

“Everything went smoothly for my mother (who went for treatment) earlier,” she said.

Several doctors were seen wearing black in the vicinity of the hospital earlier.

At the Emergency Department, medical personnel were seen bringing in extra benches to accommodate the growing crowd.

Meanwhile at Hospital Kuala Lumpur’s Outpatient Department, only a small crowd were waiting their turns for their appointments.

The seats in the waiting area were almost clear, with only a handful of people seen seated.

The Star also learnt that business is going on as usual at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang and Cyberjaya Hospital.

Sources in the know said doctors have been “really quiet” and many were hesitant to make a move by participating in the strike.

“Everyone is worried. But seems like minimal disruptions today,” the source said, adding that hospitals were still on high alert.

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“People may be hinging their bets on what happens today – if there is widespread news of successful actions, they may be emboldened to be more 'visible' on Tuesday or Wednesday,” said a source.

No significant absenteeism was reported in Klang Valley hospitals, with sources adding that the directors there had been collecting information through heads of department on those participating in the strike.

Meanwhile, Berita Harian quoted Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa as saying that all government hospitals have been instructed to be on “standby mode” from Monday in anticipation of the strike.

She said the ministry would conduct checks at all public health facilities to ensure that they functioned as usual.

Checks on social media also showed that the hashtags related to the strike #mogokdoktorkontrak and #doktorbukankuli had yet to gain traction.

The Mogok Doktor Malaysia’s strike planned for Monday to Wednesday (April 5) was to see contract doctors taking emergency or medical leave for the period as a show of protest.

The organisers also claimed there could be some 3,000 resignations in the month of April.

It is also learnt that leave had been frozen and warnings issued against taking part in the strike at some hospitals.

The group also launched a Black Monday campaign where it urged those supporting its cause to change their social media profile pictures to black or monochrome.

Non-contract doctors have been told to wear black as a show of support.