252 patients flee, costing Tangerang hospital Rp 600m

TANGERANG (JP): At least 252 Tangerang General Hospital patients have fled from their beds without paying medical bills costing the state hospital Rp 600 million in lost revenue, a hospital executive said yesterday.

The hospital director, Syartil Arfan, told The Jakarta Post from his office that three of the patients who absconded had even left their babies behind.

"The number (252) has been recorded since the economic crisis hit the country in the middle of last year," Syartil said.

He said most of the patients had upped and left after recovering their health.

"I strongly believe they ran away from the hospital with the help of their relatives during visiting hours," Syartil said.

He added that it was impossible for hospital staff to keep a constant check on the whereabouts of all patients.

Syartil refused to elaborate on what ailments had afflicted the run away patients, but said that all of them had stayed in the hospital for several days prior to their escape.

"Most of the patients were liable for bills of between Rp 125,000 and Rp 250,000 for their accommodation and medical treatment," he said.

Syartil expressed deep concern over the trend and questioned why people had decided to sneak away from the hospital without first informing a member staff.

"If patients are unable to pay their bills then they should let us know they are facing financial problems.

"If they really are from poor families then all we need is notification of their financial status from their neighborhood chiefs," he said.

"So patients do not need to run away," he explained.

Hospital staff were assigned to track down the run-away patients using identification cards left behind in their haste to leave the hospital.

However only a few were found at the addresses registered on the cards.

"The others left behind fake identification cards," Syartil said.

According to Asmuih, the head of the hospital's administration section, the patients tracked to their homes had been reprimanded and presented with bills for their treatment.

"Our staff asked the patients if they were able to pay. If they are unable to do so then they should obtain a letter confirming their impoverished status from their respective neighborhood chiefs," Asmuih said.

All patients admitted to the Tangerang General Hospital are required to sign a statement confirming their ability to pay all bills prior to receiving any medical treatment, Syartil said.

The hospital has no plans to report the cases to the police, despite the substantial material losses incurred.

Syartil said: "We need the (run-away) patients' understanding. That's all."

The three newly-born babies abandoned at the hospital by their absconding parents have been sent to the local Social Service Agency office, Nunung, who works at the hospital, said.

An agency official said yesterday that the babies -- two boys and a girl -- have been adopted by foster parents. (41)