I WAS amused to read the reply by the director of Hospital Kuala Lumpur (”All patients treated fairly” - NST, Dec 11) regarding outpatient treatment by medical specialists, and particularly what VIP or VVIP stands for.

According to Datuk Dr Zaininah Mohd Zain, VIP means “Very Important Patient” as illness and suffering do not differentiate between prince and pauper.

Well said, doctor, but is that what happens in practice?

Firstly, I noticed that the VIP room is spruced up and only well-dressed “big shots” are seen entering and attended to immediately by physicians.

Secondly, why have the nurses and administration staff never referred patients to this VIP room, no matter how serious their case may be?

Let’s call a spade a spade.

In order not to misinform the public, I suggest that the words “Very Important Patients” be used instead of the misleading VIP acronym.

Source: NST – December 24, 2007