Hulu Selangor Government Clinic Faces Congestion, Inconvenience for Elderly Patients
Aminah Harun, a 63-year-old woman suffering from diabetes, experienced a long wait at the government clinic in Batang Kali due to overcrowding. Along with other elderly patients, she waited in a tent outside the clinic as the waiting room was already full. The closure of another health facility resulted in congestion at this small clinic, causing elderly patients to face long waiting hours.
Accessibility to healthcare facilities is a problem for senior citizens in the surrounding areas. Aminah mentioned that elderly people have discontinued their treatments due to the inconvenience. The road to the clinic is busy with speeding vehicles, making it challenging for them to travel. Public transportation is also scarce, with bus waiting times of one to two hours. Aminah hopes that the government clinic in Ulu Yam will reopen soon.
In addition to healthcare accessibility, senior citizens in Hulu Selangor face issues with public transportation and lack of facilities. The district is classified as an ageing district, along with seven other districts in Malaysia, based on the percentage of elderly population. However, the district lacks facilities and conveniences suitable for the elderly.
Abd Razak Baki, the former chief of Kampung Gesir Federal Village Development Committee, acknowledged that Hulu Selangor is ill-prepared for its ageing population status. The district has few senior-friendly facilities despite having a significant elderly population. Many senior citizens rely on their own cars to move around due to limited public transportation options.
Bahari Baharom, the former head of JKKP for Kampung Kalong Tengah, suggests the establishment of activity centres for the elderly. These centres would provide health-related programs and talks, promoting a healthy lifestyle and preventing boredom and depression among seniors. Establishing a hospital in Batang Kali on par with Hospital Selayang is also a request from residents like Mohd Noor Osman, a retired teacher with kidney disease.
To prepare for the ageing nation phase, Malaysia needs to invest in healthcare infrastructure that caters to the needs of all age groups, including senior citizens. This would involve constructing hospitals, clinics, and aged care facilities with specialized care for older adults. The infrastructure should be accessible in both urban and rural areas to ensure equitable healthcare access.
Improving existing healthcare facilities by installing ramps for wheelchairs and other amenities for geriatric patients is also necessary. Malaysia’s ageing population is growing faster than 30 years ago, and the country is expected to become an ageing nation earlier than predicted. Investments in healthcare infrastructure are vital to meet the needs of an ageing population.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
