I am
not a keen blogger, sometimes things just accumulated till I feel lazy to pour
them from my getting-old memory.
So, I
have been in Sandakan for 2 weeks. Yes, time somehow works its way and it’s my
second week here in HDOK (Hospital Duchess of Kent). Reported in on 29th
Oct, seniors here were really helpful, even the staffs here are kind. Did my
lapor diri at unit pengurusan, filled up pile of documents (wonder why we
always need to fill up endless of our own particulars when we already submitted
everything to government when applying for this post =.=). A prp here-Wei Yan
brought me around from pharmacy satellite 1, pharmacy satellite 2, galenicals
unit, male and female wards, and finally to out-patient pharmacy. They call it
as Farmasi Klinik Pakar here.
In the
past weeks, I have settled my name tag application at ICT department, claim
procedures for my previous flight tickets and lastly applying a blue passport.
Honestly, I did not know that even we Malaysian ourselves have to apply for
another blue passport in order to stay in East Malaysia for more than 90 days.
It is some sort of visa to me but I am curious why we have such system here
since we are Malaysian. (1 Malaysia? >.<)
So, my
first station in HDOK is Stor Integrasi, a separate building from hospital. In
fact, it is located across a busy road at the opposite side of hospital. Met
many new people along the way, tried my best to remember every one’s name. I
can feel kindness everywhere.
Well,
I am still adapting though. Low water pressure and black-out problems seem to
be a norm here. So torch light is a must (I haven’t get it though). Even though
it is the second largest town of Sabah after Kota Kinabalu, but I find it is
less developed than I have expected, people here live a more simple life. Not
to say that it is ulu here, as it is a much better place to be compared to
other even “strange and new” places for me. I am still in a process of learning
to be more grateful.
The
first few new people I have met were Angie, Kwong Fei and Wei Yan. You guys
might not get to read this here. But I am really grateful and appreciate lots
and lots for all the help you guys have offered me. Seriously made me feel warm
and easier in the process of settling down be it physically and mentally. Thanks
a lot to Aina and Bo Kuan for giving me advices before I reach here, and not
forgetting Andrew,Jason and Angie for helping me to get a room here. I need to
thank to Mr Chong too, a local here who offered me and my family HUGE help by
bringing us to housing areas to search for room and also brought us to Sepilok,
Crocodile Farm, and the unique seafood bak-kut-teh. THANK YOU to everyone who
has helped me along with this.
Apart
from all the new things happening around, I heard“heart-breaking” news. Many of them who are also from West Malaysia
have said that once you are posted to Sabah, it is super duper difficult for
you to get a post back to west Malaysia for frp year. Sabah government always traps
keeps people from Semenanjung for YEARS. Honestly, I was in total shock and
dismay when heard about this. As my mind-set was to explore and gain more
experiences throughout this prp year and go back to west Malaysia after that.
Therefore, I did not appeal at the first place thinking that I would only
appeal for frp year IF I still get posting to east Malaysia. After listening
for so many real cases here, I understand how difficult it is to escape get
transferred back to Sabah. The “great” point here is I am bonded to government
for 6 years. 6 years! It is Too long for me. T.T. Anyhow, I know that there is
nothing which I can do for NOW, what I should focus on now is my training and
learning as prp here throughout this year. I should equipped myself with strong
clinical knowledge (which I am seriously lacking now >.<) and
understanding about the whole health-care delivery system particularly
involving pharmacist.
That’s
it for the “brief” overview of my life here. For my friends who are working
like me/get posted to East Malaysia like me, let’s work through this together.
Sharing and updating news with each other made me realize how under-equipped
Mpharm students are.=(. We shall strive harder to be qualified as
professionals.
Stay positive.
Stay strong.
Cheers.
