Tian Hock (centre) sharing a light moment with (from left) Krishnamal, Liew, Hock Hoe and Siti during NSCMA’s 90th anniversary dinner.
IN December 1979, when asked to join the Negri Sembilan Chinese Maternity Hospital (NSCMA) as a lab assistant, Lee Hock Hoe recalls feeling some trepidation.
In his early 20s at the time and having only worked briefly at a private clinic in Seremban, Hock Hoe said he felt unprepared to take on the role, particularly since the hospital’s lab had been a new set-up.
But he rose to the challenge with aplomb and 43 years later, is still serving the hospital’s now-expanded Lab Department.
Hock Hoe, 66, and three others who have served at the hospital for more than four decades received RM5,000 each at NSCMA’s 90th anniversary celebration.
The four, whose collective service totals more than 160 years, received their awards and certificates of commendation from NSCMA president Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock to a standing ovation from 1,000 guests.
Hock Hoe, a father of three, is today the senior lab assistant.
“I have many happy memories here, especially since all my children were born in this hospital.
“As a staff member, I didn’t even have to pay the doctor’s fees.
“When I joined, I was the only person in the lab.
“Now, there are nine of us and I hope to continue working here for as long as I can,” he said.
Hock Hoe’s sentiments were echoed by Siti Arah Dasimin, a senior nurse in the Emergency Department.
Siti, 62, who joined the hospital as a ward aid in 1980 after leaving school, has 42 years of service and hopes to continue working at the hospital for at least another decade.
She credited her nursing leader and doctors for their support and guidance over the years.
“I am grateful that our hard work is appreciated. I have learnt a lot since joining the hospital and was also sponsored to further my nursing studies in the 1990s,” she said.
Her colleague R. Krishnamal, 60, also values the bond with co-workers, many of whom have become like family.
“When I first joined as a ward aid, the hospital was just one block. I am excited to hear about the expansion plans and hope that I will still be working when the new block opens,” she said.
Meanwhile, Liew Sook Moi, also from the Lab Department, has put in more than 40 years at the hospital.
The four were among 33 long- service award recipients who had served between 10 and 40 years.
At the dinner, Tian Hock announced expansion plans that would be carried out in two phases over five years.
The expansion is in line with a corporatisation exercise that will see the hospital’s operations transferred via NSCMH Holdings Sdn Bhd to a new subsidiary known as CMH Medicare Sdn Bhd.
“In the next four or five years, our plan is to list NSCMH Holdings (which owns CMH Medicare) on Bursa Malaysia, tentatively on the ACE Market,” said Tian Hock.
“NSCMH Holdings will be raising around RM20mil to RM25mil to fund the first phase of the redevelopment, while Phase 2 is set to be covered by funds raised from the ACE Market listing,” he added.
With the completion of Phase 1 in mid-2025, the hospital’s beds are expected to increase from 66 to 88.
Once the exercise is completed, NSCMA will also have more funds to run its welfare programmes.
“Currently, RM150,000 a month is channelled to the underprivileged,” said Tian Hock, adding that the amount was expected to double after the listing.
NSCMA was founded in 1932 to provide maternity and midwifery services to the local community.
The hospital has 19 resident specialists and visiting consultants across a wide range of disciplines.
