Public complains over high Puskesmas fees<\/p>\n
KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: People in Kendari, Southeast
\nSulawesi, complained on Monday about the high fees being charged
\nby local public health centers (Puskesmas).<\/p>\n
Nurlela, a resident of Lepo-lepo district, said that besides
\npaying for medicines and the doctor's fee, she had to pay at
\nleast Rp 500 for the renewal of her health card, Rp 1,000 for a
\ndaily ticket, and Rp 500 as a Puskesmas service charge.<\/p>\n
\"Previously we only paid for the medicine. But, now we have to
\npay for everything, including the vaccines. We can only get free
\ninjections for vitamin A and polio,\" she said, adding that the
\nquality of service remained poor.<\/p>\n
The new charges have forced most residents to turn to midwives
\nor health workers for medical services as they charged only for
\nmedicines.<\/p>\n
The local administration's spokesman, Arifin Baidi, said that
\nall the fees imposed by Puskesmas, health clinics or other state
\nand privately run health facilities were in accordance with local
\nbylaws.<\/p>\n
\"The charges are in accordance with Bylaw No. 4\/1998 on health
\nservices, which stipulates the rates,\" he said, adding that the
\nfees were necessary to augment the local government's revenues
\nand cover the facilities' operating costs. --Antara<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/public-complains-over-high-puskesmas-fees-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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