Field Trip Report to UTHM Health Centre Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia 24 December 2009 Attendees: Sazuliana

Sanif Noryani Neni Ahmad Jamain Iza Nurhidayah Ismail Mohd Talha Mohd Idris Zainal Abidin Sayadi Introduction The purpose of this field trip was to look at existing conditions and facilities available at UTHM Healthcare Centre. Apart from that the trip was also intended to discuss possible improvements that can be suggested to the management of the centre. The health centre was initially known as Students' Health Centre started its operation in May 2002. At its initial stage there were only two registered nurses and a doctor available. However, to date the centre has the luxury of having two medical doctors, two dentists, two medical assistants, nine registered nurses, two dental surgery assistant, a radiographer, a pharmacist and a physiotherapist. The centre has the following objectives: 1. to provide the centre with state of the art medical facilities. 2. to diagnose and treat patients professionally and efficiently. 3. to prevent and control infectious and contagious diseases. 4. to raise awareness in term of health knowledge among staff and students and the locals. Field Observation The centre is the sole centre that provides healthcare to students; alternatively staff have the choices to seek medical help form panel clinics chosen by the university. However, according to the observation from mid day till evening there were many staff that sought medical assistance from the center as it was said that the centre provides much better facilities and medicine as compared to the panel clinics. The centre is capable of catering approximately 200 medical patients and 100 dental patients on day to day basis. In addition to out-patients service the centre also provides hemodialysis unit which can cater up to eight patients at one time. This unit was newly established as to meet the demand of the increasing number of kidney patients among staff and staffs family members. It was found out that waiting time was one of a significant problem at that centre. Most patients usually had to wait up to 20 minutes before getting treatments. Other than that it was also observed that patients had to wait approximately another 15 minutes to get their prescriptions. Conclusion It is obvious that healthcare plays a major role in ensuring students academic success. Therefore it is important for the centre to render its best service to cater the needs of its patients. In regards of waiting time the centre should consider of adding more medical staff to its workforce.