Catch the high drama that goes on in a hospital in Ampang Medikal, writes SHARIFAH ARFAH.

MEDICAL dramas always make for a riveting watch. The medical emergency scenes notwithstanding, all the medical staff also captivate the viewers with their tears, hopes and fears inside and outside of the hospital building.

Debuting tonight on ntv7 (8.30pm) is Ampang Medikal. The 13-episode show features Azhar Sulaiman, Nor Aliah Lee and Ngasrizal (Bell) Ngasri. Others include Rusdiana Rusdi and Jag Dave Singh.

Keith Chong, who co-creates, produces and directs the series, said the show is about the hard decisions that doctors make every day and how these decisions affect the patients, their families, and even the medical practitioners.

“There’s life, death, love, conflict and betrayal too. Good dramas should be engaging, thought-provoking and entertaining,” said Chong.
He is aware of viewers’ perceptions about Ampang Medikal, that it is a copycat of popular American TV medical drama series such as Chicago Hope, E.R, General Hospital and Grey’s Anatomy.

ntv7’s general manager of brand management group, business development and marketing communication Airin Zainul said that although the show’s contents are inspired by older medical TV series, “it’s the local content and cultural differences that makes the series interesting”.

Elaborating on this, Chong said the idea behind the show came from the public’s growing concern on health care.

People are more conscious about their health today. With the increasing number of private medical centres today, people are seeking medical attention for everything, even for cosmetic reasons.”

He said the show celebrates cultural diversity that is unique to Malaysia.

“The hospital has a Malaysian flavour. The staff members come from a multi-racial background. The location is Ampang, as it is not too urban or rural and has a good mix of people from different social and ethnic backgrounds. Ampang is also part of the city centre,” said Chong.

He said the show prides on high production values, taking into consideration various technical aspects to heighten the drama and lend a sense of urgency and emergency.

“Lighting, camera works and set location are important to help deliver the messages. Of course, the cast’s performance is equally important,” he said, adding that the show is filmed in Assunta Hospital, Petaling Jaya.