Malay Course For Contract Officer Launched
By Zasika Musdi

Bandar Seri Begawan - A doctor-patient communication is very important.

A doctor can be very skillful and knowledgeable in his field, but if he is unable to comprehend what his patient is saying, and has to rely on a translator to probe a patient's plight, there is a high possibility of an incorrect diagnosis, which in turn could be very catastrophic.

Hence, to prevent from such an occurrence, "The Malay Course for Contract Officers" in particular, doctors - was launched yesterday at the Further Education Unit for Nurses at RIPAS Hospital.

The course will be delivered by a lecturer from Sixth Form Centre in Berakas, Hjh Maiza Hj Aji.

Officiated by the Head of Director of Medical Services, Dr Hj Affendy POKSM DSP Hj Abidin, the course aims to teach the basic Malay language to RIPAS doctors who hail from India, Pakistan, Myanmar and the UK. Dr Hj Affendy said a number of complaints has been received, many of which concerned a breakdown in communication between doctors and patients.

"We find that doctors were unable to fully explain to the patients, or their family, the patient's true situation," he said.

"Furthermore, the ability to converse in Malay translates to better teamwork a sense of comradeship," he added.

"Not only is it essential to learn Malay so that the doctors can converse with non-English speaking patients, but they can also communicate effectively with nurses and other doctors, and other communities within the hospital.

"The doctors will be able to understand what the patients and colleagues say to them, and vice-versa," he continued.

RIPAS Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Dr Hjh Norlila Dato Paduka Hj Jalil, said, "We wish to develop a good rapport between doctors and patients, especially with the elderly ones. We realise that the younger generation have no problem speaking to the foreign doctors in English, but the elderly ones, who have a tendency to have more serious illnesses, are not as proficient in English, causing communication difficulties.

"By learning the Malay language, the doctors don't have to rely on a translator, and in effect, save more time through direct communication."

The course will run for 11 weeks, and doctors are divided into three batches. The first batch of 18 participants has sat for the course since January and will end in March; the second batch will start in April and end in June; while the third batch will start in July and end in September.

The course will be conducted every Monday and Tuesday from 5pm to 6.30pm.

At the end of the courses, the doctors will sit for an assessment. The course is organised by the Technical Education Department of the Ministry of Education, and is the second of its kind -the first was conducted six years ago. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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