New medical plan a ray of hope for poor<\/p>\n
ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post\/Surabaya<\/p>\n
The forlorn gaze of Inah turned into one of hope when she heard
\nnews of a government plan to waive medical fees for patients of
\nthird-class wards at state hospitals.<\/p>\n
\"If it's true, then it's good news for the poor,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Six days have passed since Inah and other members of Mohammad
\nMuhaimin's family set up camp in the rear courtyard of Dr.
\nSoetomo General Hospital at Rp 15,000 (US$1.60) a day to be near
\nhim.<\/p>\n
Muhaimin, 27, a junior clerk at a private company in Surabaya,
\nis being treated in the third-class Flamboyan Ward for severe
\ninjuries he sustained in a accident last Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"We couldn't leave Mas Muhaimin alone. Someone has to tend to
\nhim, especially his medication,\" Inah, Muhaimin's younger sister,
\nsaid on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Muhaimin's condition is critical, as he suffered injuries to
\nhis head, eyes and hands.<\/p>\n
\"He had a concussion and some skull fractures, and will
\nprobably need optic surgery,\" said Inah.<\/p>\n
The family is taking turns staying at the hospital. \"We have
\nto arrange administrative matters, including medication and
\nsurgery expenses.\"<\/p>\n
However, the cost is astronomical for the family, which has
\nalready paid Rp 4 million in medical expenses. \"The expenses
\ncover treatment in intensive care to treating his wounds and his
\nmedication. The final bill will probably be much higher,\" Inah
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Suharlin, 55, and her family are facing a similar plight.<\/p>\n
\"My sister is old and is being treated at the Flamboyan Ward
\nfor acute stomach ulcers,\" said Yudiono, Suharlin's brother.<\/p>\n
The family has spent Rp 1 million in just two days for her
\nmedication, a great cost for a pensioner's family to bear.
\nSuharlin has had no fixed income since her husband died five
\nyears ago.<\/p>\n
The struggle to face high medical costs is not uncommon, and
\nat least 900 other families are camping out at the hospital to
\ntend to their sick relatives.<\/p>\n
Every day, the courtyard and corridors of the hospital are
\nfilled with patients' families sleeping on mats and old
\nnewspapers with their bags, snacks and bottled water scattered
\nnearby.<\/p>\n
The families are all placing their hopes on Minister of Health
\nSiti Fadilah Supari, who has promised to waive medical fees for
\nthird-class patients. Yudiono hoped the promise was more than lip
\nservice.<\/p>\n
However, implementing a free medical treatment scheme on a
\nnationwide scale is no easy matter.<\/p>\n
Soetomo hospital director Dr. Slamet Riyadi said the technical
\naspects, or relevant laws and regulations of the program, needed
\nto be determined first.<\/p>\n
\"It has to be clear which social group is to be exempted from
\nmedical expenses, whether it is everyone being treated in third-
\nclass wards or only the poor,\" Slamet told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Hospital records show that not all third-class patients were
\npoor. \"Some rich people choose to be treated in third-class
\nfacilities. Will this group also get free medication?\" Slamet
\nasked.<\/p>\n
In addition, all hospitals charge two separate fees, one for
\nuse of hospital facilities and another for medical treatment.<\/p>\n
\"Hospital facility fees include the cost of a room, while
\nmedical treatment includes surgery, medication and other costs.
\nWhich one will be provided for free?\"<\/p>\n
The most vital issue is how a hospital will cope with the rise
\nin operational costs if the plan really takes effect.<\/p>\n
\"Thus far, the hospital spends about Rp 9 billion per year. If
\nthe free medical scheme is realized, I estimate our operational
\ncosts will jump to about Rp 18 billion per year,\" said Slamet.<\/p>\n
While the plan may be a godsend for poor patients and their
\nfamilies, it is as yet unclear whether the government will
\nprovide a health care subsidy or if it has enough funds to
\nimplement the plan.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-medical-plan-a-ray-of-hope-for-poor-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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