I HOPE the mighty Health Ministry reads this.

I really hope the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission also reads this.

It really doesn’t make sense that billions of ringgit are spent in hospital support service, yet basic things like functioning toilets in a hospital cannot be maintained.

Anyone from the healthcare profession reading this would be sympathetic to the staff working at the hospital. Anyone staying near the Sg Buloh Hospital or its neighbouring town please heed this warning – stay very far away. How I wish I could put up a sign saying “No Entry for Anyone with Diarrhoea”.

Now that I have started writing this, I am really stumped on things to say. Maybe Lat or Zunar can make something out of this. The staff at the hospital cannot complain as it is against the civil servant’s code. But it is ridiculous to expect a facility to function without a functioning toilet.

Maintaining a government facility should never be taken lightly. Areas of utmost importance such as hospitals and courts should be maintained to the highest standards. It is an essential service and is reflective of government standards.

Hospital facilities and equipment have always been dominated by a central tendering process to several companies. Facility maintenance and upkeep has not always been to the highest standards in terms of service delivery. Some examples which are easily seen are the polishing of floors during peak hours of service which result in closing off areas and beds for more than four hours, air-conditioning woes and leaking pipes which cause damage to the roof and floors. Imagine, a company that cannot manage toilets is put in-charge of managing the Intensive Care Unit or operations theatre equipment or even ambulances for that matter.

Undersecretaries for the respective ministries must be put to shame as there is no reason for a government facility to fall short in maintenance standards when government contracts are always favourable to contractors. Contractors are paid retainer fees to ensure that a government facility is able to function at its optimum capacity without problems.  

Situations like that faced at Sg Buloh Hospital would never happen if administrators (deputy management directors) take their job seriously and have the highest degree of integrity. Integrity to do what is needed without bias.

What is needed is very simple:

1. Insist that work is done as mentioned in the contract. The government pays a retainer fee, not a pay-per-use fee.
2. Accept no excuses, especially when it is related to poor preventive maintenance service. Simple things like air-conditioning units, pipe leaks and non-functioning toilets would not become a disastrous situation if preventive maintenance, service and the replacement of parts is carried out regularly.
3. Penalise contractors when work that should be done is not done. There is no reason for the government to be charitable when it comes to imposing a penalty for jobs not done.
4. Do not apply the culture of “tidak apa” or currying favour when dealing with contractors. You are not dealing with your own money. You are dealing with our money.

So, let me end this simple article by asking the public to assist where the hospital director has failed in assisting the visitors, patients and staff at the hospital. Send some portable toilets (potties) to Sg Buloh Hospital because it has been a FEW DAYS since the hospital enjoyed flushing toilets.

* A Doctor In The House reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.