I recently survived a life-threatening situation over the Easter weekend, and this was all due to the efficiency, professionalism and concerned care of the staff at the Kuching General Hospital.

From the minute I set foot at the entrance of the Emergency building at 5.20pm on Saturday, April 7, till my discharge at 2.45pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, the treatment that was given by all the staff, be it an orderly, nurse, matron, doctor or specialist was first-class and of a standard any Malaysian can be proud of.

Usually, most of the time, we hear of so many complaints, grouses, and criticisms of the public service. I believe there are many occasions similar to mine when praises and kudos are due but are never given, due to the typically Malaysian attitude of: 'If the service is good, it's to be expected anyway; but if it's bad, make noise about it.'

I must endorse what my brother said of the Kuching GH. He's a practicing specialist in the UK, world-renowned in the field of infectious diseases and Aids and has visited a number of times. He commented that we should be proud that we probably have the finest GH in Malaysia with the best and most advanced equipment staffed with qualified people.

I must say that all the staff manning the Emergency section, without an exception, should be commended for their quick, brave and caring efforts in determining within the shortest possible time the treatment to be given to the patient.

Similarly, all the staff at the Male Surgical Ward on the 5th Floor deserve all the praise, admiration and gratitude of the patients; in the entire four days I was warded, I witnessed only professionalism, efficiency and did not for an instant did I see any short-coming or grouses from any staff. Treatment to every single patient was equally good. The nurses, doctors and the specialist surgeon deserves everyone's gratitude for the work they are doing.

The entire hospital was clean and hygienic with timely and proper maintenance appearing to be the order of the day. The GH administration, too, must be congratulated for the fine work that they are doing.

To all the staff of the Kuching General Hospital, I want to say a BIG 'Thank you very much and well done for such top quality professionalism!' In my personal opinion, you put the local private clinics and hospitals to shame. Keep it up and well done!