Foreign doctors 'only consultants'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Health Sujudi said over the weekend
\nthat only Indonesian doctors be allowed to practice medicine here
\nin the next century.<\/p>\n
Appeasing fears that trade liberalization would mean an influx
\nof foreign doctors to the detriment of local doctors'
\nopportunities, Sujudi said that foreign investors, however, would
\nbe able to build hospitals here.<\/p>\n
Sujudi told Antara in Padang, West Sumatra, that foreign
\ndoctors were hired as consultants for several months by the
\nministry to share their medical expertise with Indonesian
\ndoctors, not to practice medicine.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesian patients do not pay a foreign doctor directly for
\nservices rendered,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said foreign doctors were admitted according to their
\ncredentials, including their knowledge of Indonesian and passing
\na test on their medical expertise to upgrade the professional
\nskills of Indonesian doctors.<\/p>\n
He cited as an example the cardiovascular unit of Harapan Kita
\nHospital which hired an American doctor for six months who later
\nreturned to the United States.<\/p>\n
Sujudi acknowledged that Indonesian doctors needed to improve
\ntheir competitive edge.<\/p>\n
\"Increased professional medical skills are crucial to
\ninstilling people's trust in Indonesian doctors,\" he said, adding
\nthat he hoped foreigners would not be the sole benefactors of the
\nlarge Indonesian market. (01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/foreign-doctors-only-consultants-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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