Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Medicalis


When I woke up on Day 5, reality hit hard. I couldn't believe 4 days have gone by so fast and we're leaving the day after. Good thing that reality came and went in a minute or two, I was back on this reality right away the moment I recognized the hotel decors.

"At least we've still got one more day out of MySelangorStory." I psyched myself.

This buddy system thing MSS had been applying throughout our stay is a good rule whereby whoever we share a room with, we're responsible for each other. We're suppose to know where our roommate is if one is not around. That way no one gets lost for no reason alone. Despite many times Chia Li had told me that I could go for breakfast first before she gets ready, I was adamant not to. What if Amelia asks of her and she's not there, I'll be sure to get some drilling. Also, if ever we couldn't find the rest, we've got someone else with us to figure it out.

I highly approve of this system indeed!

Like many times before (especially during fasting month), my tummy has it's own schedule to eat. When this message is transmitted to my brain, I automatically didn't take any photos of our buffet breakfast at Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel. I managed to shove nasi lemak into my mouth knowing how grueling our itinerary for the day would be.

After breakfast, we're all set to go to the hospital. No, no one's hurt or sick. This is one trip I underestimated since the day we were made aware of it.


This is Tropicana Medical Centre (TMC). It is situated in Kota Damansara, a place I often visit for IKEA's meatballs, meet clients or friends. I never thought I'd stepped foot in this building. Then again, it's a good thing I didn't have any expectations for this visit. That way, I'm able to absorb and enjoy what they can offer us. Settle!


Going a day without warm greetings by people is a death wish. When we were greeted by TMC staff, all joy and happy to see us - it made the start of my day from nothing to Woohoo! Oh c'mon, if someone greets you sincerely, you would of course be just as elated as the next person too. Kudos TMC for rewriting hospital experiences for all of us even before we were briefed. :)


We were attended by TMC Management at the entrance, it's like a field trip but with a touch of VIP-ness to it too :) We were taken (even demonstrated) to many of their facility rooms like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner, Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner, Digital Mammography, Imagining Room (where Flouroscopy machine is seated) and even Sinar X room.

As much as I love to capture the photos of each and every machine they have, I was too busy figuring out what is where. There's simply too many medical terms to remember and understand, I just had to put my camera down; chose to concentrate to what TMC staff was explaining.

It did felt a little bit like being in the Crime Scene Investigation scene.

When we were brought to see how the machines functioned, it opened my eyes to know how hi-tech TMC has been. Their state-of-the-art machines only speaks half of what TMC offers.

 

They even brought us to the Physiotherapy Center for kids and adults. The parquet tiles they used for this entire section is very similar to what I have in my house, the only difference is - they applied a special coating on the surface to protect their patients from falling down or suffer injuries if they do fall. Indeed, it shows how meticulous they were when they build this hospital. From a visitor's point of view, it looks more like a gym than a physio room. Cool eh?

I remember drawing Mickey Mouse & Goofy as a thank you message to my doctor after my first surgery when I was younger and he pasted it on his message board at the waiting room. I would looked at all the messages/drawings that was pinned there. Somehow it gives a certain comfort while you're waiting.

When I saw this thank you note on the glass door, it put a smile on my face. A small gesture is never too small to give an impact to others. 


In case you were curious, that's how Brandon Lee looks like. Next to him is Mr. Alan Chin, TMC's Marketing Manager who were so patient in answering my 1001 questions -______-


We also managed to make a trip to the Fertility Room. Most famous visit among all. Since we were divided into two groups, and I was with a bunch of curious cats, our tour lasted way longer compared to the other group. I'm not complaining, because I learned so much as everyone asked questions.

We even managed to go into the labs at the semen collection room, intensive care unit (ICU) room, delivery room, as well as the one and only - viewing room.

What's this viewing room about? It is where some very qualified doctors play god. It is the room where In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is performed. I used to read this from science textbooks. Now that I'm able to be present where it takes place, it gives that much more impact. 

You know what would be perfect with this field trip? All schools should make a point to do the same. Our education system has been known to be full of flaws and students shouldn't be confined in the classroom and books to learn something. They should go out, be curious and see things.

That and at least it knocks some senses in their head about what reality, responsibilities and consequences are about.

Yes! This would be the perfect visit. At least for the 16-17 years old.


Each doctor in the Fertility room has a featured wall and therein photos of every baby they had help. Got me wondered how do they remember so many babies but when you've touched so many people's lives, you will somehow manage to remember each single one of them.

I didn't know TMC is the leading fertility centre. With so many articles and success rates, this is something Malaysia should be proud of :) Hello, you can give birth to twins with 18 months separated in between. That's.. almost unheard of until that very day. This world..it's moving so fast, or I'm just not on the same page. Hmm.

Their suites are very comfortable. Being the kid that I am, I love their kid's suites for it's cartoon murals. It just brightens up the room. Their room rates is stated here and with the kind of facility they offer, I think their rates are affordable. It's bigger, newer, cleaner and more comfortable than many other similarly reputable hospitals close to it's rank. 

The best part is, TMC really wants to rewrite every patient's experience being in a hospital. Their suites are enough to justify that.

As we waited in the International Patient Centre, I found a leaflet regarding the classes and workshops they offer for expecting parents like Ante Natal Class, Parent Craft Programme and many others for a very affordable price. Had I not found this leaflet lying on the table, I wouldn't have known about it. See, there are many of us who are not aware what classes like this are able to help parents to expect after a baby is born. Those who do also knows that such classes are expensive to join as they'd charge you per session.



So this is definitely a blessing for all parents, one TMC should promote everywhere. I would know because I've got a friend who was interested but wasn't able to commit to the price outside, and a few others who went and praised about it. 

For instance, the Parent Craft Programmed has 2 sessions, first session is about the development of foetus, understanding the stages of labour, the miracle of stem cells and baby immunisation. Second session comprises of nutrition in pregnancy, pre and post natal exercise, breast feeding and care of newborn. This package only costs RM140 per couple for both sessions. Tell me this is not the best news ever? :)

I'm very glad that TMC really placed people's needs as their utmost priority, even if they're not (yet) a registered patient of TMC. Small steps like these would most definitely woo them in :) Hey, they won my heart like many other thousands of hearts out there too.

We were served with refreshments(more food!) before we left this incredible hospital. 

Amelia then announced of TMC's new plan; to publish their own medical blog which is A GREAT NEWS. They should spread the greatness to others.They should and they must.  I hope they'll go all out in advertising their services because I couldn't imagine the amount of good deeds they'll able to do with people.

Trivial fact of the day, the world medical derived from Latin medicalis/medicus for physician.

It's only 1/3 of the day, and I've been made aware about the science of medicine. It's a tourism on it's own, one I just found out too. 

See, not expecting anything is a good thing indeed. I wouldn't be as excited as this if I had expectations.

Well done Tropicana Medical Centre. You rock. 

There's still 2/3 of the day to go and I assure you, it's a ride not to be missed. ;) So stay tuned!

All thoughts are welcome here. It's evident by the way I write that I love to communicate. Sooo..feel free to do so :) And if you think this entry deserves a vote, it's been awesome to go to MySelangorStory/TheMedicalis :) Grazie mille!

6 comments:

  1. TMC's Parent Craft Programme is RM140 per couple? And I thought RM180 is cheap.. Hmm..

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  2. I know right?! You were the first person I thought of when I saw the leaflet. They have this program every month apparently. Just have to find out from them if you're interested :D

    At least we all learn something new :D

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  3. Haha, actually every hospital has this programme, just that not many sees the point of joining and spending money on it.. I guess they still think parenthood comes naturally..

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  4. Heh, haven't been making tours to hospitals might answer to my discovery. But yes you are right, parenthood doesn't come naturally!!

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  5. TMC must be delighted with your good review of their facilities and in a way help to promote it.a good job done n all the best

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  6. I learned something new during that trip and the best way to give back is to spread it around :) I hope others will find it useful. Thank you for your kind words Anonymous :) Have a nice day!

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