KUALA LUMPUR: The 1Malaysia Clinic (K1M) initiative is a good example of the government’s commitment in ensuring the people’s wellbeing, especially in offering quality medical services at affordable rates.
K1M boasts fast and efficient services, as well as a conducive environment for those seeking treatment. It is disabled-friendly too.
K1M, which operates from 10am to 10pm, including public holidays and weekends, only charges RM1 for Malaysians and is free for senior citizens.
A retailer, Mohamad Firdaus Abdul Latif, 33, prefers K1M as he would not have to wait long to get treatment, compared with regular clinics.
“Usually, for tube changes, wound cleaning or even in the case of fever, I will always visit K1M because of the good service, which is comparable to private clinics.
“Facilities for people with disabilities like me are available at all sections of the clinic and its staff often help push my wheelchair or lift me up to the medical bed,” said Firdaus, whose house is about 1km from the nearest K1M.
He said the medical assistant there would provide a reference letter if a patient had serious health problems and needed
follow-up treatment at the hospital.
K1M, which was introduced eight years ago, is one of the government’s initiatives through the National Transformation Programme (NTP) to ensure that the public get access to quality healthcare and medicine, at low costs.
According to the Health Ministry, there are 361 K1Ms located at strategic places close to residential areas.
So far, 6.47 million visits have been recorded.
The services available include light treatment for fever, cough and colds, follow-up treatment of stable cases of chronic patients including diabetes and hypertension, light procedures such as wound-cleaning and laboratory testing services such as urine tests, and for HIV and tuberculosis.
K1M is handled by nurses and hospital assistants, who are regularly monitored by the state health departments to ensure adequate facilities and supplies.
Noorhayati Abu Hassan, 54, who underwent a leg operation last February, said she had been visiting K1M at least twice a week to clean her wound and get regular check-ups.
“The services at K1M make patients comfortable. You don’t have to wait long for a treatment. It costs only RM1 for treatment and medicine.
“K1M is a great platform in helping the public get quick and easy medical treatment, as these clinics are located around residential areas,” she said.
Noorhayati said K1M was the closest clinic to her house in Melaka, less than a five-minute drive.