Try calls on doctors to uphold medical ethics<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno strongly urged
\nIndonesian doctors yesterday to abide by their code of ethics and
\navoid possible malpractice as people are now more aware of their
\nrights.<\/p>\n
Try said medical experts were required to understand and
\nimplement their oaths, their religious and cultural values in
\ntheir daily practices and provide the best service for the
\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, I also appeal to the wives or husbands of doctors
\nto encourage their spouses not to violate the code of ethics,\"
\nTry said during the opening of the 23rd congress of the
\nIndonesian Medical Association and the association of the
\nIndonesian doctors' wives at Merdeka Selatan Palace.<\/p>\n
Try's warning was timely as public dissatisfaction and
\ncomplaints over the quality of health services are rising.<\/p>\n
The recent arrest of at least 16 suspects, including two
\nobstetricians and gynecologists, and the owners of two clinics in
\nNorth Jakarta on suspicion of being involved in illegal abortion
\nhas put physicians in an uneasy position.<\/p>\n
Police decided to detain the doctors after the discovery of 11
\nfetuses and babies in Warakas, North Jakarta, last month.<\/p>\n
The two doctors are identified as Lt. Col. Jaya Lelana and
\nBudiman, who worked at the Army Gatot Subroto Hospital and the
\nTangerang General Hospital respectively.<\/p>\n
During interrogation, Jaya reportedly admitted to inducing an
\naverage of 10 abortions per day at the Fajar Pengharapan and
\nAmalia clinics in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Although their final decision (on medical action) heavily
\ndepends on their own conscience, the Indonesian Medical
\nAssociation is expected to enforce its professional code of
\nethics more strictly,\" Try said.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, the vice president was accompanied by
\nMinister of Health Sujudi and chairman of the association Azrul
\nAzwar.<\/p>\n
Inhumane<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Sujudi condemned
\nabortion and described it as inhumane.<\/p>\n
The minister said abortion should only be conducted in a very
\ncritical medical condition and only under tight regulations.<\/p>\n
\"According to World Health Organization standards, an abortion
\ncan only be conducted if the pregnancy is less than 18 weeks
\ngestation and Indonesia adopts the standard,\" Sujudi said.<\/p>\n
Sujudi said that he had received a report from the association
\nof Indonesian obstetricians and gynecologists that about one
\nmillion abortions are conducted every year.<\/p>\n
\"I have heard the report... but an abortion cannot be decided
\nby a doctor and the patient alone, but by a team who declares
\nthat medically an abortion has to be conducted as the mother's
\nlife is in danger,\" said Sujudi, quoting the 1992 Health Law.<\/p>\n
Azrul said his organization deplored abortion practices. But
\nhe said it was not fair to put the blame solely on doctors.<\/p>\n
\"The problem is not so simple, because there are also changes
\nin values among people in society,\" Azrul said. (prb)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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