Clinic for incontinence

JAKARTA (JP): The Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital on Jl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta opened a clinic on Friday for patients suffering urinary incontinence, or inkontinensia urine.

The hospital director Hermansyur Kartowisastro said the clinic, which will be fully operational from Monday, was a necessity for the estimated 10 million people who are suffering from the condition.

"This condition doesn't kill anyone, but it has a large social impact. Patients can lose their self-esteem or avoid socializing with others because they are embarrassed of people knowing that they wet their pants and bed all the time," Hermansyur said, while addressing the opening ceremony of the clinic.

The clinic is the first of its kind in Indonesia.

An urologist at the clinic, Rochani, said the condition could originate from damage to the nervous system and hip bones, high delivery frequency for a woman, obesity, serious illnesses and bladder infections.

"That is why this clinic hires urologists, gynecologists, geriatricians, pediatricians and neurologists," Rochani said, citing the clinic charged a maximum fee of Rp 200,000 (US$ 29) per visit.

"But we will give a free consultation to the first 100 patients," he added. (01)