Another chapter of life begins

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 29^th 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.