Healthcare in Malaysia is almost free, that is, if you opt for the government-run universal healthcare system. On the other hand, you will need a fat wallet or full medical insurance if you prefer the co-existing private healthcare system.
The public healthcare system is mainly under the responsibility of the government's Ministry of Health and is handle at the state level by the Department of Health (Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri) which, in turn, is implemented by the many Health Clinics operating at the district levels. For example, there are 6 clinics in the district of Petaling in the state of Selangor:
Klinik Kesihatan Seri Kembangan
Jln Besar Seri Kembangan
43300 Seri Kembangan
Petaling Selangor
Tel : 03-89455929
Fax : 03-89451225
Klinik Kesihatan Medan Maju Jaya
Jln PJS 2C/5, Petaling Jaya
46000 Taman Dato Haron
Petaling Selangor
Tel : 03-77819001
Fax : 03-77819105
Klinik Kesihatan Puchong
Batu 14, Petaling Jaya
47000 Puchong
Petaling Selangor
Tel : 03-80611814
Klinik Kesihatan Seksyen 7
No 2, Persiaran Kayangan Seksyen 7
40000 Seksyen 7
Petaling Selangor
Tel : 03-55186531
Fax : 03-55186532
Klinik Kesihatan Seksyen 19
Jalan Gelora 19/46, Seksyen 19
40300 Shah Alam
Petaling Selangor
Tel : 03-55413570
Fax : 03-55413585
Klinik Kesihatan Kelana Jaya
Lot 38294 Jln SS 6/3A
47301 Kelana Jaya
Petaling Selangor
Tel : 03-78045001
Operating Hours
The clinics are opened from 8.00am to 5.00pm Mondays to Fridays. Three of the six clinics at Puchong, Section 7, and Shah Alam have extended hours of operation from 5.00pm to 10.00pm. The clinic at Taman Medan will be added to this list soon.
Let's see how a local Health Clinic works. Since the clinic I usually go to is at Kelana Jaya, let's go to this place.
The Health Clinic at Kelana Jaya, locally known as Klinik Kesihatan Kelana Jaya, is situated at Jalan SS6/3a.
Just north of it is the Giant Hypermarket
Klinik Kesihatan Kelana Jaya
The facility here houses three clinics - Mother and Children Healthcare and Family Planning; and the Health Clinic on the ground floor. The Dental Clinic is on the upper floor.
Operating hours for out-patients
Operating hours for Mother and Children Healthcare and Family Planning
Mid-day break
Please take note that the clinics are closed from 1.00pm to 2.00pm Mondays to Thursdays and from 12.15pm to 2.45pm on Fridays for the lunch break. All registration service counters are closed at 4.15pm.
Healthcare Services
The Kelana Jaya Health Clinic provides free services to mothers, kids, teenagers, citizens in their prime years, citizens in their "golden years", nutrition, medication, oral health, mental health and they can also help you quit smoking. Special attention is given to senior citizens.
If you are a first timer, please bring along your Identity Card and proceed straight to the main counter to begin the registration process. The counter is to your right as you enter the main entrance.
The Mother and Child Clinic is to your left.
Main counter at your right as you enter the main entrance
At the counter, you will be given a card to fill out your name, address and telephone number. Complete that and give the card back to the officer who will then give you a number. Your information will be processed by another officer seated next to the main counter. Once the data entry is completed, your number will be called. Approach the counter again and you will be given back your card together with your call number and you will be directed to the next counter which is usually "Counter C". "Counter B" is for follow-up appointments.
Counter "C" on your right at the end of the hall
At "Counter C", put your card and number in the tray on the desk and wait for your number to be called. Here, the nurse will take your blood pressure and record it on the card. Once that is completed, take a seat in front of the doctors consultation rooms which are situated just opposite of "Counter C'.
Counter "C" where you have your blood pressure taken
and recorded before you see a medical officer
Waiting for your number to be announced directing you to the
examination room where a medical officer will check on you
After consultation with the doctor, proceed next to Counter "A" or "Appointment Counter" to set up a date for your follow-up visit. This will be in the same waiting area outside the doctors' rooms.
Counter "A"
Proceed next to the pharmacy near the main counter and hand over the doctor's prescription to the officer on duty. Get your number and wait for your turn to collect your medicine. Usually you will be given two months supply and told when to come back for the rest of the medicine.
Collecting your medicine at the pharmacy counter
Appointment to collect your follow-up medicine
It usually take about one and half hours to complete this whole process. The morning crowd usually comes in very early and by about 10.00pm most of them would have gone home.
Parking your car just outside the clinic is illegal. There is a car park just across the road and each entry is RM3.00.
Private car park on the other side of the road from the clinic side entrance
For more information about health, you can go to MyHealth which is the official portal of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. It's a very good site full of tips and advices on health issues.
Official portal Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia .
