President launches health program<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid launched on Tuesday
\na nationwide health program calling on people to raise their
\nawareness of health.<\/p>\n
Speaking in the ceremony which marked the national drive at
\nNational Monument (Monas) square in Central Jakarta, the
\nPresident said a healthy life was an inseparable part of human
\nlife and one of the basic human rights.<\/p>\n
\"Health is the source of prosperity. What good is wealth if
\npeople are unhealthy?,\" the President said.<\/p>\n
Therefore, he said, the government, especially the Ministry of
\nHealth, has to help people pay more attention to their health and
\nappreciate those involved in health services.<\/p>\n
The ceremony was the highlight of a series of activities held
\nin observance of the 36th anniversary of National Health Day,
\nwhich falls on Nov. 12.<\/p>\n
An 80 meter by six meter banner bearing the campaign's motto
\n\"Indonesia: Healthy by 2010, Health is a Basic Human Right\" was
\nunveiled by four mountain climbers.<\/p>\n
\"It marked the first step of the national health program,\"
\nsaid Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi, on the sidelines of the
\nceremony.<\/p>\n
The commemoration, Achmad said, is aimed at promoting better
\nhealth as people's awareness of health in the country remains
\npoor.<\/p>\n
He added the focus of the program is to give better health
\nservices to people and to increase people's role in health
\nservices.<\/p>\n
\"We will also focus on building a partnership as well as
\nbetter ties between patients, the government and health care
\nprofessionals,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Until now, he explained, most doctors have been used to
\n\"playing God\" and playing a leading role in regard to their
\npatients.<\/p>\n
The situation, he stressed, must be changed as doctors and
\npatients are partners.<\/p>\n
According to Achmad, the bill on the public health service
\nnetwork (JPKM), which deals with the health care insurance and
\nfunding system, would be endorsed soon.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully next year it will take effect,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The bill obliges people to contribute about 3 to 5 percent of
\ntheir income for their own health care coverage. (hdn)<\/p>",
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