Public hospital needed for hardcore poor in PJ

By NST Sheila Sri Priya 

PETALING JAYA: Lower-income residents living in this city are in dire need of a public hospital, said Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San.

Among the famous hospitals in Petaling Jaya are Assunta Hospital and University Malaya Medical Centre, he said, but these hospitals are categorised as semi-government, meaning that some payment is required for medical services.

"Those from the lower income bracket come from areas like Taman Medan, Kota Damansara (Lembah Subang), Bukit Lanjan, Kampung Tunku and Damansara Utama. There's at least one low-cost housing project in every zone," said Lau.

Senior citizens and lower income families find it difficult to pay for their medical bills.

"Procedures like scanning and surgery cost more in semi-government hospitals then fully government aided hospitals," said Lau.

He said of the 56 divisions in Selangor, Damansara Utama has the highest number of senior citizens (about 10,000), followed by Bukit Gasing (9,000) and Kampung Tunku (8,000).

Other areas in Petaling Jaya have about 3,000 to 5000 senior citizens.

"Overall, Petaling Jaya has the highest number of senior citizens," said Lau.

He requested that funds be allocated for a public hospital in Petaling Jaya.

"Many have the false perception that residents in Petaling Jaya are from wealthy backgrounds, but in reality there are hardcore poor living here," he said.

Petaling Jaya councillor A. Thiruvenggadam supported the idea.

"The poor in Klang have a public hospital there and so do those in Shah Alam, but the poor in PJ are facing trouble.

"A blood test in University Malaya Medical Centre can cost RM30 or more but the poor can't afford to pay this amount or travel to other hospitals further away," said Thiruvenggadam.