DUKE the time saver.

DUKE Highway, on the way to work, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

After being off work for nearly 2 months, there have been a major development around where I live. The DUKE (Duta Ulu Kelang Expressway) was opened.

It links the Ulu Kelang area straight to Jalan Duta and most importantly the PLUS Highway. Taking the entrance from Seri Gombak/Batu Cave interchange which is 5 minutes away from home, it takes me only around 12 minutes to reach Jalan Duta. I then take Jalan Semantan and the Semantan entrance straight into UM. All done within half an hour. Minimal jam.

This contrasts to my usual route. For the last couple of years, I leave home at around 6.40, and if I am lucky, I will reach the Faculty by 7.20. Lately, traffic has been worsening. I really need to rush out around 6.30, and there is no guarantee I will be able to make it before 7.30. I routinely get out of bed around 5.45. Rush through, no breakfast.

Take this morning for instance. After Subuh, I had a lay in until around 7.10. Get my boys out of bed. A quick shower, back down by 7.30, some toast and coffee. Then leave the house at 7.45 and I was already in my room at the Faculty by 8.15. I am not sure about you, I find this arrangement to be much better. I will then be in the ward by 8.30.

I am still trying out different routes to get home. The one I took yesterday was again via DUKE, driving towards Mont Kiara, coming out at Seri Gombak. Home within 40 minutes despite heavy traffic.

Lesson from Singapore

Morning Talk by Prof Ho from Singapore NUS, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

We wouldn't like to admit it, but there are things we could learn from our Southern neighbour. And we are not just talking about how to make a sitcom here.

This morning, the Faculty received a visit from a Professor from NUS in Singapore. He basically told us the story of how the healthcare system in Singapore been undergoing a major revamp since the turn of the millenium. And it all started from a realisation of something very obvious.

First, Doctors were leaving for Private practice in droves and that needed stopping. Second, the only real advancement can only be made if backed by R&D. In short, there are investment needed to be made into the health system, and it is not to build the biggest hospital with no specialist, or to purchase a CT machine to be hidden in a basement. The money should be channeled directly at the target. Increase the Faculty members pay packet, spend the money for research opportunity for these Faculty members and spend the money on proper human resource development, not on just some 'modal insan' mambo jumbo.

It all started with a simple questionnaire distributed to all doctors at one of the main hospital, asking what they detest most about their job and what it the main reason why they are still at it. The main reason why they want to leave is 1) the pay is a lot better outside, 2) limited career prospect for advancement. The next thing they do was realign the services, and change the hospital demography of the island down into 4 'district' hospital and 2 University Hospitals, the '4 plus 2' plan.

At the hospital, to promote career development, the Faculty Members were introduced into 4 career tracks, ranging from pure Clinicians to mainly Researchers. The promotion criteria will be aligned to each career tracks and everyone knows exactly what is required of them. At least what it sounded on paper. In en updated survey, they seems to be looking at early success. The staff retention rate looked good and their research output is also on the rise. The feedback from the Medical Students and patients also seems better than before, but Prof Ho himself felt that it is too early to paint any conclusions.

I find the talk fascinating and Prof Ho has plenty of insight to offer us. Realistically however, with a more intellectual population (and politicians) and smaller, and more compact geography, these major rethinking is much easier to implement in Singapore. The fact that the Minister of Health also tended to be medical doctors does help! The fact that they realised that something was wrong in the first place, quickly proposed a solution and implemented it is something that I admire. If only we can have similar strive for a goal, any goals, than there is hope for my beloved 1Malaysia.

Me and Specks

Me and Specks, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

Spent the whole day yesterday sorting things out for the audit in the afternoon. The auditors came and went, and they are pretty pleased with things, which is great. I am sure those of you who had to endure an audit before would testify that it can be an ordeal. This particular one was for an anticoagulant study I have been conducting for the past couple of years. The auditors were from France, Korea and Taiwan. The lady from Taiwan was particularly menacing, but her boss, the Parisian guy was pretty steady and complementary. It may be just a French thing I think.

Lanyau and the othersPavillion in the evening!Anyhow, in the evening after work, I had dinner with Specks, one of my old buddy from school. He is now working for a Pharmaceutical company in London and is just back for a couple of weeks. He brought with him a couple of friends, an actor from Bristol and his girlfriend, a Medical Microbiologist from Cardiff. We had dinner at Madam Kwan in Pavillion, and we were graced by the presence of Madam Kwan herself! They had some Char Koey Teow, and so did I. Another old Terendakian also came with us, Lanyau. They are off to Cherating tomorrow morning having just got back from a weekend in Langkawi. I can see that they were all sporting a tan!

Idlan and his Assessment

Idlan practicing his sumsAnita has been up all night last night thinking of Idlan's assessment this morning. Bear in mind he is only 5, and it is for kindergarden. I think she is a tad over-reacting. Anyhow. She got him up and early and ready to go by 7.30. As usual, our driver was late, and Anita had to do the driving herself.

I used the new DUKE highway today and left the house at 7.30. Traffic was cool on the highway with only a minor hick-up at Jalan Duta exit. Reached the Faculty by 8, and already up and running in my room at 8.15. Quick check on the feeds and email. This is when I learned that Ida Nerina is in the ward after taken a tumble the night before. She had spinal injury but the details about what happened was rather sketchy.

Got a shock when I turned up when I saw that there are 8 Medical Officers now attached to my ward. This is what I call total care for the patient. The ratio is around 1 doctor every other patient when you count out the 5 lecturers as well. So we were practically tripping on each other during Grand Ward Round yesterday. Myself and Bee gave up during Day Care where there were no seat for us. We ended up trouble-shooting then left early to start the Transplant Clinic.

We then had a discussion about our future plan for the Unit over tea. Then head home and looking forward for the usual badminton session. I must confess that I was rather tired and all. I left after 3 games and already ready for bed soon. Guess I am getting old.

Happy Father's Day

The 5 grandchildren, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

As mentioned, we took my Dad (Dada) for lunch today. As he liked steaks, we brought him to Marche at The Curve. All his five grandchildren were on tow and as expected they created havoc. The good news is there was a 20% discount on meals for Father's Day!

We spend a couple of hours there with the children occupied at the playground. Next, we headed across to the Sunday Market. According to my sister, Julia, the stalls were pretty disappointing today compared to last. That didn't stop here from getting a brand new pair of shoes. Next, we walked across to IKANO. Julia wanted to get her children Crocs shoes.

It took us nearly an hour trying shoes out to keep everyone happy. They then headed for the play area back at The Curve causing more havoc there!

Finally we drove home around 4. It was a long afternoon. Both Idlan and Irfan went to sleep at 8 tonight. Idlan has his school assessment tomorrow, and Anita was up awake worried. Imagine if he was taking A levels or something. I'll probably need to get Anita a pacemaker!