AFTER reading the letter, "Doctor just left the clinic, come back tomorrow" (my paper, Feb 14), I would like to share my experience on some doctors in Tampines.

Two years ago, during a Chinese New Year public holiday, my son had a mild fever and we took him to a 24-hour clinic in the neighbourhood to buy some medication.

The clinic staff told us that all medications sold over the counter would be charged double the price because of the festive season. We had no choice but to pay for it as it was near midnight and no other clinics were still open.

On another occasion, my son fell sick and we went to the same clinic again at 11pm. After waiting for a while, we noticed that the queue was not moving.

I was near the clinic entrance and saw the two doctors who were supposed to be on duty that night chatting outside. They went into the clinic only when it was midnight.Was it because a surcharge is imposed on consultation after midnight?

On the fourth day of this Chinese New Year, my brother went to another clinic for his sore throat, but he was told that there was a surcharge of $15 as it was the "holidays".

I feel that our doctors are thinking like businessmen. I'm not saying that doctors should not make money, but they should have sympathy for their patients, some of whom are not well off.

Mr Sim Choon Chye