“When Solomon said there was a time and a place for everything he had not encountered the problem of parking his automobile,” Bob Edwards
WHEN we talk about healthcare, most minds go straight to doctors, nurses, or the quality of treatment provided within the four walls of a hospital.
Rarely do we consider what happens before patients even walk through the door.
For many families, the first point of stress is not the diagnosis but the search for a parking space.
This issue is particularly pressing at private medical centres, where the number of daily visitors often rivals that of public hospitals.
In cities such as Kuching, where these facilities cater not only to local residents but also to international patients, especially from neighbouring Kalimantan Barat, the strain becomes more evident.
The growth of medical tourism, while a boon for the healthcare industry and local economy, has also put pressure on infrastructure — parking being the most overlooked component.
I experienced this problem first-hand earlier this week.
While trying to manoeuvre around a Toyota Hilux parked on a steep corner at the medical centre’s parking compound, I ended up in a minor accident.
My car’s front bumper hit the tyre of the Hilux, which had not been aligned properly.
Legally, the fault was mine because the vehicle was stationary.
Yet the fact remains: the Hilux should never have been parked there in the first place.
What happened to me could easily happen to any visitor — a small but costly accident, borne out of a lack of proper parking space and poor driver consideration.
Incidents like this highlight how insufficient parking is more than just an inconvenience.
It can create safety hazards, force cars into difficult manoeuvres, and raise the risk of minor collisions.
For families already under stress due to medical concerns, such situations only add to the frustration.
Private medical centres pride themselves on efficiency, comfort, and personalised service.
Yet, without proper parking facilities, these promises ring hollow.
Congested entrances, double-parked vehicles, and anxious drivers weaving through narrow lots all undermine the very sense of calm and order that healthcare institutions are meant to embody.
Parking should not be an afterthought but an integral part of the patient experience.
The importance of parking facilities extends beyond convenience.
It is a matter of safety and accessibility.
Insufficient parking often forces visitors to leave their cars on busy streets or in poorly lit areas, heightening risks for both drivers and pedestrians.
For elderly patients or those undergoing treatments such as dialysis or chemotherapy, the distance from car to clinic should be minimised, not magnified.
A smooth transition from arrival to consultation can make an immense difference in the comfort and dignity of their healthcare journey.
Investing in adequate parking solutions can also strengthen a hospital’s reputation and competitiveness.
Medical tourism is a growing industry in Sarawak, and international patients have choices.
A well-designed, spacious, and secure parking facility reflects an institution’s commitment to holistic care.
It reassures visitors that their wellbeing is considered at every step of their journey — from arrival to discharge.
For many foreign patients, the first impression of Sarawak’s healthcare system begins not at the registration counter but in the car park.
There is also an economic case to be made.
Efficient parking management reduces traffic congestion around hospital grounds, minimises delays, and enhances overall productivity.
Private centres that integrate smart parking systems, valet services, or even shuttle links from designated lots can distinguish themselves as forward-thinking and patient-centred.
Hospitals that neglect this aspect, however, risk frustrating patients and discouraging repeat visits, particularly among international clients who may compare their experiences across borders.
Policymakers, too, have a role in ensuring that parking facilities keep pace with the growth of private healthcare.
As Sarawak positions itself as a hub for medical excellence, the supporting infrastructure must rise to the occasion.
Collaboration between hospital management, local councils, and urban planners is vital in addressing not only current demand but also future expansion.
Healthcare does not exist in isolation; it is tied to transport networks, urban design, and even tourism strategies.
The conversation about healthcare standards in Sarawak should therefore extend beyond equipment, specialists, and services.
It should include the simple yet crucial matter of whether a patient can park their car without undue stress.
A hospital car park may seem like an ordinary space, but in reality it represents order, accessibility, and foresight.
When designed well, it can serve as a silent but powerful sign of care — a message that every detail, no matter how small, has been considered in the pursuit of healing.
In the end, parking may not be the most glamorous aspect of healthcare, but it is undeniably one of the most practical.
For patients and their families — whether from across town or across the border — the journey to recovery should not begin with frustration in a crowded car park, or in avoidable accidents caused by poor parking arrangements.
A parking facility, when well-planned, is more than a place to leave a vehicle; it is the first step toward compassionate and comprehensive care.
