Doctor fees to be regulated<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI)
\nyesterday promised that it will regulate fees its members charge
\nto members of the public within three years.<\/p>\n
IDI Chairman Azrul Azwar said after meeting with Vice
\nPresident Try Sutrisno yesterday that some members of the
\nprofession had opposed the attempt to regulate the fees because
\nit would give the impression that the medical practice is a
\nbusiness concern and not a social concern as it should be.<\/p>\n
Azrul said there is now a consensus among members about the
\nneed to put some order in the way doctors charge their patients
\nbecause of the increasing number of complaints about hefty
\nmedical bills and large variations from doctor to doctor.<\/p>\n
The regulation on medical fees should be completed within
\nthree years, he added.<\/p>\n
Azrul, who assumed the IDI top post early this year to replace
\nKartono Mohammad, said he personally thought the fees should be
\nregulated although he understood the concerns of those who
\nobject.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, he said members of the public are urged to
\nreport their complaints with the association regarding medical
\nfees. IDI will take stern action against its members who violate
\nthe doctors' code of ethics, he added.<\/p>\n
Azrul, along with other IDI board members Merdias Almatsier
\nIhsan Oetama and Purnomo Prawiro yesterday reported to Try about
\nthe results of the recent IDI congress.<\/p>\n
One of the resolutions is the launching of the concept family
\nmedical practitioners, beginning next year.<\/p>\n
Under the concept, a doctor is encouraged to take a more
\nactive part in the health care of a client's family, making
\nperiodic house calls and providing advice on preventive measures.<\/p>\n
He said Indonesia now has a \"surplus\" of doctors after the
\ngovernment decided to limit the annual intake of new doctors to
\nbe employed as civil servants working at state hospitals.<\/p>\n
These \"surplus\" doctors have to open private practices.<\/p>\n
Azwar denied the suggestion that big cities, particularly
\nJakarta, has more doctors than it needs while outlying regions
\nhave a severe shortage. He underlined that Jakarta and its nine
\nmillion population needs plenty of doctors. (emb)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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