Habibie walks down memory lane as he tours RSCM<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie toured Cipto Mangunkusumo
\nGeneral Hospital in Central Jakarta yesterday, in what he
\ndescribed as a trip down memory lane since his wife, Hasri Ainun
\nBesari, had worked here when he met her in 1962.<\/p>\n
\"This hospital plays a role as a center of excellence,\" said
\nHabibie as he walked down the aisles of the 78-year-old hospital.<\/p>\n
\"I also have very sweet memories of this place because I often
\nmet with my former fiancee here.\"<\/p>\n
His wife, a pediatrician, worked at the hospital in 1962 when
\na young Habibie returned from Germany because his mother had
\nasked him to marry soon.<\/p>\n
\"This hospital had a great contribution for my marriage,\" a
\ncheerful Habibie told journalists. His wife, accompanying him on
\nthe tour, just smiled.<\/p>\n
During the visit, Habibie chatted with doctors, nurses and
\npatients, posing a wide range of questions from their salaries to
\nthe treatment received at the hospital.<\/p>\n
The President said the hospital played a key role in the
\nhealth sector, especially for low-income people, and he promised
\nto find the institution more financial resources since it had
\nbeen severely affected by the economic turmoil.<\/p>\n
Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM), the oldest state health
\ninstitution in the country, still serves as the primary medical
\nfacility for many Jakartans, dealing with a staggering 12,000
\npatients each day.<\/p>\n
RSCM has 1,305 beds and employs nearly 1,000 doctors, 90
\ndentists and 760 specialists. They are backed up by a medical
\nsupport staff of more than 1,800 and 2,000 nonmedical employees.<\/p>\n
While meeting with patients, Habibie came across Ukar Sukary,
\na kidney patient.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe you ate too much jengkol (a kind of bean notorious for
\nits smell),\" Habibie told the surprised patient.<\/p>\n
It was unclear why Habibie made such a prognosis, but the
\nbewildered Ukar merely nodded.<\/p>\n
Poor<\/p>\n
Hospital administrator Dr. Ahmad Djojosugito told the
\nPresident that prices for medicine and health equipment had
\nincreased up to 200 percent since July but that it was difficult
\nto raise hospital fees since many patients had limited financial
\nresources.<\/p>\n
\"Most of our patients are poor people,\" Ahmad noted.<\/p>\n
Ahmad said it would be helpful if the government allowed the
\nhospital to build better facilities to lure affluent people to be
\ntreated there.<\/p>\n
\"The profits could be used to subsidize the bills of poorer
\npeople, much like we've done with the Cendrawasih Pavilion,\"
\nAhmad said.<\/p>\n
Habibie agreed, and also advised Ahmad to boost the promotion
\nof generic drugs because they were much cheaper than brand drugs.<\/p>\n
\"We must convince people that generic drugs are very healthy
\nand effective although they may not be as prestigious,\" said the
\nPresident.<\/p>\n
Habibie later promised he would try to help the hospital but
\nrefused to indicate any specific plans, saying he would talk to
\nother officials first. (prb\/ivy)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/habibie-walks-down-memory-lane-as-he-tours-rscm-1447893297",
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