KOTA KINABALU: The closure of the temporary car park in front of Queen Elizabeth Hopsital (QEH) II and Sabah Medical Centre (SMC) by City Hall last weekend sparked the anger of the public, especially those who have to make regular visits to the medical facilities.
Many described the action as “absurd and unwise” because the car park was a much needed facility.
They felt that the local authorities should have acted on the complaints about the nuisance and safety risk caused by the construction work of the QEH II multi-storey car park building which have instead fallen on deaf ears.
A patient, only known as Ms Chai, said the construction noises and vibration caused by the drilling and excavating works were annoying and causing discomfort to the patients there.
“Nothing is being done to control the situation as the contractor is allowed to operate unregulated at all. The authority seems to condone these hazardous activities,” she said and questioned the rationale behind closing a car park that is badly needed by patients and visitors.
Ms Chai added that there was some improvement immediately after the noise issue was raised to Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim’s attention but the situation did not last long.
“Why doesn’t City Hall also issue a stop work order for the noise problem? Why was this not regulated?” she asked.
According to another patient, who declined to be named, he was informed by an attendant at SMC that if he cannot find any available parking space around the hospital in the future, he should park his car at Damai Community Centre car park, and use the shuttle bus service which runs at 10 minutes interval.
“I totally fail to understand the rationale behind this move to close the car park. Why can’t the authority just allow the facility to continue while waiting for the application to be approved?
“There are many companies operating business while waiting for their licences to be approved. This is only a car park, which does not have any hazardous concerns at all. And why can’t the authority be more considerate and provide conveniences to the sick people?” he asked.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Sabah Medical Centre yesterday said the closure of the temporary car park near the SMC by the authority caught many by surprise.
The properly constructed car park with sealed surface, road markings and directional signs, was made available by SMC with the intention of providing convenience to its customers.
The spokesperson said reporters called to verify the news and get a confirmation from the said private medical centre.
Apart from a clear explanation, it was also learnt that, SMC will continue to provide the shuttle bus services between the Damai Community Hall and the hospital.
It all started when patients and the public who had to be at any of the two hospitals, QEH II and Sabah Medical Centre, were made to pay RM15 per entry for using the car park.
This created vigorous responses from the public. However, it was later found out that the “temporary car park” was constructed promptly by SMC in response to providing conveniences for SMC customers, in view of the grossly inadequate parking facility in the area.
The private hospital’s spokesperson clarified that the construction of the “temporary car park” in the said location, was for the sole purpose of providing value-added services to its own customers, and not for money making.
“Collecting a fee of RM15 upon entry and a refund of RM13 upon exit for our own customer is merely for the convenience of SMC customers. As a private hospital, we have to provide conveniences and best possible service to our customers.” explained the spokesperson.
It was thought to cool off after explanations were made on the rationale and fees charged.
However, to the surprise of the private hospital, they received a stop operation order of the said car-park with immediate effect from the DBKK.
Following this, the medical centre made immediate notifications to its customers to stop using the car park and it will remain closed until further notice.
The spokesperson also explained that the provision of the said car park yard was meant to solve the pressing needs for car parks and provide exclusive care to its customers.
It was noted that not getting an approval first was an oversight. The hospital has also confirmed that they were making preparation to submit their application after receiving initial notification from DBKK.
But before the application was submitted, the stop operation order was received. In the spirit of abiding by the rules of law, the centre decided to close the yard with immediate effect.
“However for the convenience of everyone, we do provide our own shuttle bus services. The bus will travel between the Damai Community Hall and our hospital at every 10 minutes intervals.
“This will provide shuttle to all public who needed it, regardless whether or not they are private hospital customers. This is part of our own initiative to solve the acute car park problem at the hospital. This is perhaps the responsibility of the authority concerned in the first place.”
It was understood that initially there was a bus service provided by the Health Ministry but it was terminated. As a community service, SMC took up the task to continue the services for the convenience of the general public. The service is free of charge, regardless whether SMC customers or QEH II.
The spokesperson said that, ever since the MOH moved into SMC building after evacuating the old QEH building, and converting SMC into QEH II, parking was in total chaos there. Random parking all over the places has created havoc to traffic in the area. The situation got worse when the construction of QEH II multi-storey car park started.
“We have not expected our good intention of elevating the problem and providing services and convenience to our own customers, has invited such a big response from the authority.
“Anyway based on the law abiding principle, we will follow the order from the authority strictly. We closed the car park as the authority deems necessary. We apologise to our customers for not being able to continue the service and provide conveniences at this stage.”
The SMC also advised the general public and customers to park their car in the Damai Community Hall and use the shuttle bus services provided instead.