Things

Posted on June 4, 2010 by OuOu

“The most important things in life aren’t things.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo

Back from Melbourne

Posted on June 3, 2010 by OuOu

Flew back from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

I can’t believe I survived one week without internet.

I was a little surprised to discover how much free time I have without internet!

KL’s weather is so hot and humid. The traffic is horrible. I can never stay here for long.

I am happy to see my eldest sister though. It has been a while since three sisters hanging out together. Just the three of us, no boyfriends/husbands/kids. I wish my third sister was here. Then, it would be a perfect sister reunion.

Health Care in Malaysia

Posted on May 24, 2010 by OuOu

Health care in the United States leaves a lot to be desired.

In Malaysia, it’s a different story. Read below:

“Malaysia offers medical assistance to tourists and residents under the dedicated Malaysia free health care and medical assistance plan. This universal health care plan ensures that medical assistance is available when and as required. The Malaysia free health care and medical assistance plan is drawn from revenues that come out of tax and insurance coverage.” Read more here.

The infant mortality rate (IMR) is a standard in determining the overall efficiency of healthcare.

Malaysia’s IMR (number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births) in 2009 was 8.9. USA’s IMR was 6.3.

If you have sickness and go to public clinic or General Hospital, you might have to wait in line for a little bit, but you only pay RM1 (clinic) to RM5 (Specialist @ GH) per visit. OMG! It’s soooo affordable.

I accompanied mom to GH for a body check up yesterday. Here’s a short report on the visit.

I accompanied mom to the gynecology department at GH. Cost of visit: RM5 (including medicines, scan & everything else)

Submit the prescription to the pharmacy counter at GH, take a number and wait for the medicine. You don't even have to take out your wallet, the med is free. :)

Submit your prescription to the pharmacy counter at GH, take a number and wait for the medicine. You don't even have to take out your wallet, the med is free. 🙂

Go green effort at the General Hospital - bring your own bag to carry your medicine (in three languages since Malaysians are multi-cultural).

Go green effort at the GH - bring your own bag to carry your medicine (in three languages since Malaysians are multi-cultural).

Received lots of medicine for my parents (diabetes, liver & heart problem ...) from the pharmacy at the General Hospital . Retail value: > RM1000. Mom paid $0.

Received lots of medicine for my parents (diabetes, liver & heart problem ...) from the pharmacy at the GH . Retail value: > RM1000. Mom paid only RM0.

Guess how much my dad paid for his heart surgery?
USD 10k? USD 100K?

My dad had a heart surgery a few years ago (a spring was inserted into one of his heart arteries), and he paid a grand total of RM 200 (USD62). That’s including numerous check ups and medicines. Can you imagine how much you would need pay to have the same surgery in USA, without insurance?

I feel safer in Malaysia when it comes to health care. 🙂 Everyone is protected here.

So, if I have a serious illness and can wait for a few days, I shall buy a ticket home (from USA to Malaysia) and get treated here. 🙂 At least I won’t end up buried in debt after the treatment. 🙂

Makan-makan anytime

Posted on May 24, 2010 by OuOu

People in Kuching love to makan (eat in Malay) and you could be forgiven for thinking about food all the time. Malaysians enjoy eating out and embrace food from different cultures.

There’s at least one cafe on every block. The cafes here are called kopitiam (coffee shop) in Hokkien. Every kopitiam carries not only drinks, it usually has stalls selling noodles, roti canai, chicken rice, etc. The prices are very reasonable. A bowl of noodle can be as cheap as RM2.50 (USD0.80). I am in noodle heaven!