1Malaysia clinics well received by the public

The 1Malaysia Clinic (K1M) , established seven years ago, is among healthcare services which has been lauded by the public in terms of accessibility, operation hours and fee.

K1M, which operates from 10 am to 10 pm daily, including on public holidays and weekends, with citizens charged RM1 for each visit and free for senior citizens, provides convenience to the people, especially the less fortunate and those staying far from the city.

According to a pensioner, Mohd Said Omar, 64, although there are Health Clinics and polyclinics in the vicinity of his residence in Taman Megah Ria, Masai, Johor, he prefers going to the K1M Taman Megah Ria because of its fast service and comfortable environment.

"For senior citizens like me, fast and comfortable service will definitely be the option, furthermore, the treatment is free of charge," he told Bernama.

Mohd Said said he began seeking treatment for his skin problem at K1M over the past year and found many locals, especially fellow senior citizens doing the same.

Puteri Nur Balqis Mydin, 21, who lives at Kenanga Apartment, Bukit Beruntung, Hulu Selangor, said since K1M was opened in her residential area, she did not have to worry about time as the clinic was only a few minutes walk away and for only RM1 per visit.

"My family and I just need to go down and walk about 200m to reach the K1M clinic," she said.

Meanwhile, Khaleebullah Abdul Mutalif, 35, who has taken his mother to K1M Gombak several times, said he was satisfied with the services provided, although he had heard negative reactions on the quality of medicines provided at the clinic.

He said after personally visiting the clinic, which is about five kilometres from his house, his view of the clinic changed.

"Before, I would have made K1M my last choice, but now, if my mother, wife or myself need treatment, I do not hesitate to bring them there, the service at clinic service, for me, is good," he said.

Khaleebullah , who is self-employed, said for people like him, who did not have medical benefits, K1M was the most suitable option.

K1M was launched in 2010 at the Kampung Kerinchi Flat in Kuala Lumpur, and in the same year, 50 K1Ms were opened nationwide.

According to the Ministry of Health's website, there are currently 334 K1Ms all over the country and they are at strategic locations and close to residential areas.

The K1M clinicas are administered by nurses and hospital assistants, where patients could seek treatment for minor illnesses, like fever, cough, flu, follow-up treatment for stable chronic patients, including those with diabetes and hypertension, as well as wound- dressing.

Since the K1M clinic was introduced, it has recorded 6.47 million visit until end of last year.

-- BERNAMA