By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Feb 24: General practitioners (GPs) should consider offering more medical care services and extend their clinics’ operating hours to serve members of the public.
In making the suggestion, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, a cardiologist by training, said by so doing, patients would not have to make a beeline for government or private hospitals and wait in long queues, especially for minor illnesses such as flu.
“If GP can operate with longer hours and have more medical care services and options, people with minor illnesses like flu or wanting to have a health screening for blood sugar and cholesterol can just walk into such an establishment to get medical attention without to go to the A&E in government or private hospitals.
“The public often seek treatment at the A&E for minor illnesses as our local GP clinics only operate at certain hours, and they don’t make house calls,” Dr Sim told a press conference after officiating at New York Medical Clinic at S3 Curve, Jalan Simpang Tiga, here, today.
New York Medical Clinic boasts modern Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) equipment that can perform non-invasive treatment to lower the number and intensity of angina episodes.
In layman’s terms, Dr Sim explained that EECP machines are for people who have blocked arteries that cannot be operated on or cannot be stented. This machine helps to stimulate blood flow to the heart through three pairs of external inflatable cuffs that are applied around the lower legs, upper legs and buttocks.
“This is probably the first of its kind machine installed in a private GP clinic in Kuching,” he said, noting that the clinic also offered normal GP work and treating occupational health issues.
Present at the launching of the medical clinic were Kuching South City Council mayor Dato James Chan Khay Syn and also New York Medical Clinic directors Dr Kang Tzin Rong and Dr Chew Kian Png.
For more information about the medical care services provided by the clinic, call 082-521 999. — DayakDaily
