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Quality Healthcare at Affordable Prices

By Ili Aqilah

The Perak Chinese Maternity Hospital which started 112 years ago, has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a 6-bedded maternity home in a wooden house located at Chamberlain Road (now Jalan CM Yussuf) in 1904. It shifted to a 3-storey hospital in 1938, at its current location in Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun (formerly Kampar Road). In 1968, it became a multi-disciplinary hospital and in 2004, changed its name to Perak Community Specialist Hospital (PCSH). Since then PCSH has changed and evolved its services through the years. However, there is one aspect of its original charter that has remained constant and that is “to provide affordable healthcare to the various communities of Perak”.

Upgrades and refurbishments: PCSH now a 21st century healthcare provider

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia’s health facts report in 2015, more than one million patients were admitted to private hospitals in 2014. Ipoh prides itself on having quite a number of private hospitals with one especially known for its affordable health care – the Perak Community Specialist Hospital. Many patients whether cash paying or covered by insurance medical cards recognize that its medical bills are both reasonable and affordable. It is also preferred by many because of its ample parking space and easy access to the various facilities in the hospital.

Facilities and Services

The hospital has been transformed into a modern facility through a few phases of renovation in recent years.

The hospital is equipped with surgical wards, medical wards, paediatric wards (with a special baby care unit and phototherapy room), maternity wards, a high dependency unit with 3 beds and an intensive care unit (ICU). Its Diagnostic & Imaging Department provides services including the X-Ray, CT Scan, mammogram, ultrasound, and the echocardiogram with high end digital doppler used for patients for general screening and echocardiography (diagnosis and monitoring of heart disease). There is also a fully equipped physiotherapy unit and a pharmacy in the hospital. Its haemodialysis centre is currently licensed for 18 dialysis stations including 1 station for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C patients, each with competitive pricing and lots of benefits thrown in including a Dialysis Privilege Card. It is also equipped with a lithotripsy centre for the treatment of kidney stones.

Its 24-hours Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) has a few medical officers and a team of trained personnel to cater to the emergency needs of patients. On-call resident consultants are also available should they be needed. There is also a wellness centre with health screening services (including the endoscopy and treadmill stress tests) provided.

PCSH also offers a complementary Privilege Healthcare Membership Program for adults and children with no age limit. Anybody who signs up as a member will enjoy privileges only eligible for members. Membership forms can be obtained at various locations in the hospital.

PCSH is committed to offering great services for its patients. Having the reputation of being a customer-focused healthcare provider, all PCSH’s patients and visitors now have access to free WIFI in the wards. There are also other facilities such as the Automatic Teller Machine, cafeteria, prayer room and convenience store.

Specialist Resident Consultants

This 76-bed multi-disciplinary hospital, served by the team of dedicated resident consultants, continues to offer affordable health care services supported by modern technologies. Currently the hospital houses fourteen resident consultants, four medical officers and four sessional consultants. A full list of the consultants can be found on page 6 in this issue.

Latest Technology

In recent years, PCSH has upgraded and purchased the latest technology, devices and equipment for the hospital.

In the last 5 years, they have replaced and upgraded equipment in all departments including  Imaging (X-Ray), Operation Theatres, Endoscopy, Physiotherapy, Dialysis, Wards, Pharmacy and Specialist Clinics such as 4D Ultrasonography in O&G clinics enabling mothers to see their baby’s facial features.

The imaging department has digital systems to provide clear and precise images for better diagnosis and treatment. The Operation Theatre is equipped with the latest Anaesthesia work stations and OT tables with capability to handle orthopaedic cases. High end laparoscopic equipment for minimally invasive surgery is also available as well as lasers and various types of surgical equipment to manage Urology cases in the Operating Theatre.

The ICU which was recently upgraded, is equipped with monitoring technologies and other equipment such as ventilators and an arterial blood gas machine for the treatment of severely ill patients.

The Dialysis centre boasts of new dialysis machines which were very recently acquired. The water treatment plant which is a key essential of dialysis treatment was also recently replaced with an upgrade of the piping system.

Community Programmes

With its key mission to serve the community by providing affordable healthcare, the hospital also indulges in various educational and health awareness campaigns as it believes in preventive measures for public health that can result in early detection of diseases or even their prevention. The hospital conducts various events in public places such as shopping malls, community town halls, schools, corporate offices etc. The hospital also holds ante-natal classes for expecting parents a few times a year to educate them about pregnancy, labour and after delivery care.

Recently for the convenience of the community, PCSH has adopted two bus stops in front of the hospital, constructed and maintained them; and now they have the first bus stops in Ipoh which are lighted at night.

Why PCSH?

PCSH is committed to providing affordable healthcare for patients, holding true to its mission to provide comprehensive, efficient and effective services to the community. This is in line with its founding intentions which was “to provide affordable quality healthcare.” and despite the current challenging environment of rising medical costs, PCSH still strives to maintain its affordability. Now isn’t that a warming thought!

Interested readers who want to know more about PCSH can check out their new website at www.pcsh.com.my. The hospital is located at 277, Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak. They can be contacted at 05-2419000 any time of the day.

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