PETALING JAYA: When her father was admitted to the hospital for abnormal calcium levels in his blood, Zahara Rosli said her family was worried that his cancer had relapsed.
The housewife said the most important tests to find out about her father’s condition were a histopathology (HPE) test and a computerised tomography (CT) scan.
“During our discussion with a doctor at Hospital Bukit Mertajam, Penang, he informed us that waiting for a CT scan at the government healthcare facility could take up to six weeks.
“We were given the option to conduct the CT scan at a private hospital,” she said.
Zahara, 46, recalled that her father’s MRI scan had also previously been performed at a private specialist hospital to avoid the long wait.
She said that with the doctor’s referral letter and arrangement, her father was transported to the private hospital.
“My father had the test and scan done right away, and we had the results in about an hour.”
“We also got a discount from the private hospital because we were referred by a government hospital,” she said.
According to Zahara, the quick test results allowed doctors to determine her father’s condition and move forward with his treatment plan.
“Tests showed he had advanced-stage lung cancer that had spread to his bones.
“We could only do our best to lessen his pain and suffering,” she said, adding that her father died last October after spending two months in the hospital.
Zahara said she was thankful that her family was able to at least afford the CT scan at the private hospital, which cost a few thousand ringgit.
“We are not blaming anyone because we understand the government hospital’s resources are limited due to the high patient load.
“But we are upset thinking about others who are less fortunate and cannot afford to pay,” she said.
An engineer who only wanted to be identified as Adam said he had a similar experience early last year at Hospital Tanah Merah in Kelantan.
“I sent my father for a CT scan to determine the stage of his liver cancer.
“I was told after the scan that the results would only be out after two weeks. However, two days before the appointment, the hospital called and asked us to return in two weeks.
“I’m not sure why the results were delayed; maybe the doctors were busy,” he said.
Adam said that he then decided to take his father to a private hospital for a CT scan because the senior’s condition was deteriorating.
“I was prepared to pay the bill, which the hospital estimated would be RM2,500 at most.
“However, when they discovered that my father had recently had a CT scan, they advised me not to proceed because it could harm the patient.
“I had no choice but to wait despite my father’s dire condition,” he explained.
Laili Nor, an insurance and takaful agent, said she had several clients who used their medical cards to claim imaging expenses at private hospitals after being advised by their doctors at public hospitals.
“Those suffering from critical illnesses typically require ultrasound scanning, X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, MRIs, and other tests.
“However, an appointment at one of the government hospitals for such procedures could mean months of waiting,” she said.
Laili said her clients were able to have the procedures performed at private hospitals and receive the results the same day.
“This enabled them to get faster diagnosis and treatment, such as chemotherapy or surgery, at government hospitals,” she said.
Laili said many of her clients are accustomed to receiving care at public hospitals despite having medical insurance coverage.
“The option is there for them to use when they need it,” she added.
