I think everyone knows every Malaysian mum is entitled to give birth in a government hospital and these are the reason why I choose to give birth in Government Hospital, Hospital Likas.
Disclaimer: This post is based on personal experience and preference.
1. Unbeatable value!
Malaysia’s healthcare is heavily subsidised by the government which makes it affordable.
Can you guess how much was my bill for my first born (Emergency Cesarean) and second born (Natural birth)?
Kyle's Bill at Year 2016: RM125 (Emergency Cesarean)
Kayden's Bill at Year 2019: RM45 (Natural Birth)
Total RM175! *Popping Champagne*
We often joke that we can have 100 kids coz we've saved 100 times money from private hospital 😂. With the quality of medical service rendered, the value is impossible to be compared to private hospitals. RM45 for natural birth at govt hospital against Rm3k from private, that's equivalent to giving birth to 66 babies 😂
2. Ward Quality
Do you know that Hospital Likas used to be a private hospital. Therefore it is fully air-cond and well maintained.
I know many of you will imagine inside must be dirty, hot and crowded. Yes, cosmetically it does look seasoned and less refined, but hey, we're here for the health services, the cosmetics of the facility is not the most important issue here.
People:
Yes it is slightly crowded, when I was in the check-up room there're 13 mommies waiting to get checked. But don't worry, the doctors and nurses are effective.
Because it is a public facility, it is inevitable to have people from all income brackets, background and race to come for medical care. Some people might be uncomfortable when mixing with people from different backgrounds and race, particularly the not very 'atas' segment, but really, there's nothing wrong with getting in touch with people of different walks of life.
Washroom:
A standard washroom with shower and toilet area. Hot and cold water supplies are available but without a shower head. I still enjoyed my hot shower on the check-in day. 😄 Just that I preferred a dry toilet instead.
Hygiene:
It seems to be dirty because a lot of people but actually they taking care of hygiene a lot. I see housekeepers always be there and came to clean on and off.
Fully Air-cond:
It is actually very cold until we had to turn off the air-cond 😅 But after a while doctor will turn it on because warm environment will causes bacteria to grow.
3. Specialist Doctors
We often heard that if *touched wood* anything complicated happened to your new born baby, the private doctor will send your baby to Hospital Likas because they have more specialist doctors there. That is why some of my friends they do register themselves under Klinik Kesihatan Ibu & Anak (KKIA) even though they choose to give birth at Private hospital, it's a back up plan.
4. Experienced Nurses and Midwives
Nurses and Midwives in Government Hospital taking care many many patients in a day. My midwife told us they can give birth to 13-17 babies in 1 work shift! Imagine there's 20 plus labour room in Dewan Bersalin.
My Midwife, Ms. Erna. She's really really patient and helpful! She kept encouraged me ketty you can do it, just push a little more. Ketty almost there. Hold your breathe and push. She's very gentle too. She try to distract me by telling me about her job and kids when she do stitches on my underpart tears. She even help me to wear my underwear with pads. Bring me to toilet and stay with me to make sure I'm not feeling dizzy.
5. Aftercare
Aftercare like Baby's Jaundice check up, Mummy's postpartum check up, Baby's vaccine up to 18 months are all included when you register yourself under Klinik Kesihatan Ibu & Anak. Even though the waiting time is tedious sometimes, no air-cond in the clinic but just keep an open mind!
The only downside you might need to consider about your husband companion. Husband and family can only visits during visitor hours. So you must be independent by yourselves. If natural birth you can go home within a day, C-sec they will admit you for 2 nights to observe.
Thank you Malaysia Healthcare. Hope everyone here will make full use of the facility that we're entitled to. ❤️