By Trailerman Sam
Holy cow! They don’t even have a colorectal unit at the Seberang Jaya Hospital or Penang GH! All such cases have to be referred to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar.
Come to think of it, the private hospitals in northern Peninsula Malaysia tell a different story. They have such units.
Perhaps surgery at these private places would cost me an arm and a leg. But I hope to have three arms and three legs so that I can still have the use of those that had not been chopped off!
Hence, my best bet is to seek treatment at a government facility. At least, I don‘t have to starve for the rest of my life.
After two surgeries at Sultanah Bahiyah’s, I’m grateful to Dr Kong and Dr Wan for keeping me alive besides the good treatment by the caring staff at Kenanga Wad 3C.
Going to Alor Setar from Kulim by public transport is not a piece of cake. After many sips of my favourite espresso, I get a lift from my buddy Barry Law, whom I’ve known for 35 years, to the Tasek Gelugor KTM station to catch either the first or second commuter train up north.
At Alor Setar, I’m thankful to long-time buddies Irene See or Partiben for getting me to hospital at Jalan Langgar.
Something strange I noticed whenever I enter the train. Never has anyone given up his or her seat to the highly-visible silver-haired me. I’d be usually standing for most of the 40-minute journey!
I’d like to put in some strong words here: proper social etiquette is sorely lacking these days in Malaysia.
Giving up your seat for an older or handicapped person is a compassionate and considerate act. It demonstrates respect and empathy. But it’s a rare sight of late.
To put it simply — offering your seat to an older or handicapped person shows respect for their age or physical condition.
It acknowledges that you understand their needs. This also helps to preserve their sense of dignity and self-worth and not being treated like some discarded riff-raff.
Also, by giving up your seat, you contribute to the comfort and well-being of someone who may be experiencing physical discomfort or tiredness.
This small act of kindness can make a significant difference to their overall comfort during their journey. By doing so, you contribute to creating a more inclusive environment in the train.
It also fosters a sense of community and goodwill among fellow passengers. It sets an example of kindness and consideration, inspiring others to engage in similar acts of kindness.
One must understand that older individuals and those with disabilities may face difficulties when standing or moving in a moving vehicle.
By giving up your seat, you help reduce the risk of accidents, falls, or injuries that may result from an unstable or crowded environment. More so when they’re going to a hospital to seek treatment like me.
Many of our young may not know this aspect of life. Like as if they’ve not learnt anything from their elders or in school about making a positive impact on someone’s day.
The act of giving up your seat allows you to experience the joy of selflessness and contribute to the well-being of others. This act can also boost one’s own sense of happiness and fulfilment and contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive society.
With Kulim boasting of a hi-tech park with big name firms like Intel, Infineon and Hoya, to name a few, contributing to Kedah’s economy, I reckon that a new general hospital should be a matter of priority here. To take a plane, we can still go to nearby Bayan Lepas in Penang easily.
A hospital certainly beats the idea of having a spanking new airport to serve northern Perak, southern Kedah and Penang. A new GH with facilities like MRI, CT scan, cardiology, colorectal and other stuff will be a boon to people in southern Kedah.
I wonder if those clamouring for a new airport in Kulim have accidentally taken something derived from a plant that’s native to Kedah and southern Thailand. Let’s be clear-headed on what is needed by Kulim, a town that has been inhabited since 1758. It’s more about our well-being, our health, and not pride.
Trailerman Sam is a popular tuition teacher in Penang. If he is not teaching, he is writing, drinking plenty of coffee and probably star or planet gazing. He can be reached at trailer17@hotmail.com
The views expressed here are that of the writer’s and not necessarily that of Weekly Echo’s.