KUALA LUMPUR: A woman expressed her dismay as her ailing grandfather, a retired government servant, reportedly encountered unsatisfactory conditions at a government hospital.
She contended that despite his entitlement to a first-class room based on years of service, they were told rooms were at full occupancy.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) with the handle @anifaresailema, she felt that the treatment her grandfather received was less than what he deserved, given his years of dedicated service as a customs officer.
"I'm sorry, but what is this government hospital? It appears outdated and distressing. My grandfather, currently unwell and a retired government servant, deserves first-class treatment.
"However, we were told, 'rooms are full.' All his years of service in customs seem to be undervalued. Let's strive for improvement, Malaysia," she tweeted.
She asked for enhancements in the healthcare system, calling on authorities to ensure that individuals like her ailing grandfather receive the care and facilities they deserve during their time of need.
The incident sparks a call for the reassessment and enhancement of hospital services to offer improved experiences for patients and their families.
"I mean, how is this okay? I, who am healthy, feel like getting sick because this place is so horrifying.
"Don't tell me it's because 'bayar murah' (it's cheap) because he worked as a government servant all his life. He and everyone else deserve better!!!," she added.
It is understood that the mentioned hospital is Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) in Johor Bahru, set to undergo an upgrading process this year after the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, approved an allocation of RM500 million.
The tweet, however, elicited various reactions, with several other social media users also sharing their unpleasant experiences in government hospitals.
"This is the issue that I question the most as a Malaysian. I visited Kajang Health Clinic, and the condition was terrible! There was even a cat that fell from the roof and got injured. It's already 2023. What improvements has the government made in terms of facilities in the medical sector!?," user @Ariokayyy said.
"I'm sorry you had to experience this. My dad had the same experience. Spent all his life as a government servant but was only given a seat on a cold bench for more than 12 hours when he had a stroke," commented @kuchalana_eth.
"They rather spend money building more highways and skyscrapers than fixing hospitals and schools," user @_musangPutih said.