City faces hurdles on abortion clinics

City faces hurdles on abortion clinics

JAKARTA (JP): The City Health Office has found it difficult to detect health clinics which illegally perform abortions.

The office spokesperson, Rita Kusriastuti, said over the weekend that such clinics must be closed down, but catching them in action was not easy. "Most of the clinics are registered as family planning centers," she said.

Rita said that the office could only recommend that certain clinics be closed down for permit violations, such as operating without permits or for being managed by people who do not have medical backgrounds. "We have never had a clinic closed down for illegal abortion."

Rita also acknowledged that it is not that easy to take prompt action against clinics which violate regulations. "Violations are usually found out years after the clinics operated," she said.

"Two clinics in Pademangan, North Jakarta and Petamburan in Central Jakarta were closed down about three years after they opened," Rita cited. (yns)