Thread by @twt_malaysia

Ok kopi obtained. Time for 2nd cerita.

Since it's Tuesday, I thought I'll continue on the 'a bit of myself part'

Someone asked why did I made the move down south & why administration?

Here is why.

(ini adalah thread 😂😂)

Let's dial back a little to my service in Malaysia. As I said, I've worked in the public healthcare for about 9 years.

In this 9 years (including HOship), there were a few hiccups. During my HOship, I took some time off for some personal reasons.

But I came back, completed it (I must say my logbooks were impressive 😜) and soon after, I got my full registration as a medical officer.

For those who dont know, after u complete the HO (UD41), u r automatically promoted to MO (UD44) & u get posted out.

I got posted to N9, a Klinik Kesihatan (KK) in the rural area. My interest was Emergency Med at that time but I was told hospitals were full (really?) so I didnt protest much but just continued with my posting.

I was working at KK Terachi, about 1/2 hour from Seremban town.

In truth, I rather enjoyed my time in KK. Actually, I enjoy every posting I've ever been since starting work (except paeds, sorry @sunarpu)

I continued to apply to get into a hospital in N9 but replies were the same, I am needed in primary health. So I just continued.

During this year in N9, I was wondering why my gred is not progressing. I made some calls, found out my application to UD44 not send in. Ok, so I made more calls and KKM assured me it is 'dalam proses'

I am generally not very pushy, so I let it be, hoping it will settle.

Every couple of months I made calls, same answer, dalam proses.

In the meantime, I also applied back to Selangor. Bear in mind I was travelling from KL-Terachi (100km 1way) daily. I had to do locums on weekends to pay for the petrol & daily fuel.

Work extra to go to work. 🤯

After 1 wonderful year learning abt primary health, I got back to Selangor. Yay, Emergency Med here I come.

First day I lapor diri at H Serdang, I applied for Em Med & Pengarah decided that I am needed in Nephrology. Wait what? I dont even have Internal Med experience as an MO.

But like any good soldier (actually sebab no cable 😅) I just accepted it & again, went to work as usual.

Don’t get me wrong, my time in Nephrology, though very tough subspecialty, is the best part of my career, so far. I made many good friends & supportive bosses.

After a few months settling in, I decided to call KKM again to see how whether ‘dalam proses’ went to ‘sudah proses’

Instead they tell my file is incomplete. Apparently, hospital which I did my HO didn’t send it my full application & why I took time off.

Okaaaaay.

So I asked the old hospital & they said they couldn’t find my file at all. The earlier clerk had left & nobody knows what’s happening.

Ok sure no biggie this is my career progression on the line and nobody can find my file.

😑

So KKM asked me to tulis surat (we love our surats) explaining the whole situation.

At this point, I was probably into 1 year of Nephrology. Lovin it actually.

So I tulis surat & of course, reply is ‘dalam proses’ Remember 2 years MO, still having UD41 pay. Nasib baik ada locum

Then it came a time when my interest in Em Med is slowly waning, mostly cause I was getting very comfortable in Nephro. I considered applying to Internal Med masters (due to some persistent poking by my bosses 😂)

My SKT was not a problem. I had glowing reviews from bosses.

But here comes the kicker. KKM say, I can apply to Master but for reason unknown to me, they can’t proses my issue of kenaikan gred while in Masters. Now the dilemma is;

1. Go for Masters, live with UD41 pay for 4 years (time to complete course)
2. Wait for gred issue to settle

Btw, if not exactly a spring chicken at this time, most colleagues are younger, some even already specialist.

But I was ok, I was still doing work that I am proud of. This is probably the only reason that kept me from going crazy 😂

But I needed to make a decision. I could just apply, complete the program but who’s to say after 4 years who will remember my case? Could drag on till eternity.

Also, at this point, we were expecting a child.

Expecting a child really make u reorganise your perspective. Now it’s not just about me, it’s about the baby and family.

So I didn’t feel like I had much of a choice. I decided to quit the public service. Then I had to look at my choices outside KKM.

Easiest is to go into GP. Pay isn’t that bad (definitely more than what I was getting) but the work is not something I’m interested.

Don’t get my wrong, GP practice is highly respectable. But somehow feels like if I be a GP, I’m just reminded why I couldn’t further in Masters.

Around this time, I found an administrative job opening in SG. I considered it, considered what it meant to move to SG (most of my family is here actually) & decided to take it.

U know, sorta like, reset balik my life.

But I must say this; the decision to leave clinical practice, possible forever, is the hardest decision I have ever made. I still think about it till today.

But I made it not because of just myself, but for my baby as well.

(Drama jugak ni)

I think it was a shocker to many too. 😂 Everybody wondered why did I take up a desk job, since I was sorta like an adrenaline junkie.

But I think I wouldn’t look at it as a downgrade. There are still plenty of good work to be done, with or without a stethoscope.

I try to take it as a challenge & having a clinically oriented person behind a desk as an admin isn’t half bad, I understand what it means to be a clinician & can make the necessary difference. (Like double agent, u know 😜)

So right before my baby got delivered I accepted the job and a month after she popped out, I moved down & started my new job (no on calls yay)

Ok, I think that’s it kot. Sorry no pictures for this cerita 😂

Any questions? 😅