I would like to call on the authorities to consider extending the operating hours at certain health centres to midnight to ensure only those seeking urgent medical attention go to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital.
At present, public health clinics run until 4.30pm, except Berakas Health Centre, which closes at 9pm. So, public members tend to opt for the Berakas Health Centre, no matter their catchment area.
However, once it hits 9pm, RIPAS Hospital is the only place left for medical help, regardless of the severity of symptoms, which contributes to the long waiting time.
One solution, I believe, is to extend the operating hours at health clinics, especially those situated in densely populated areas. Not only would the public have a few options after certain time, it would also spread the patients more thinly across the health clinics, thus freeing up RIPAS Hospital for only emergency cases.
Healthful Citizen