Dharmais opens two new cancer clinics

JAKARTA (JP): The state Dharmais Cancer Hospital officially opened on Tuesday its first two cancer consultation clinics at local community health centers in Cengkareng and Tambora, West Jakarta, in an effort to detect the disease in low-income people.

"Such clinics at local Puskesmas (health centers) are the first of its kind in Jakarta," the hospital's director I Made Nasar said after the inauguration ceremony.

"These clinics are pilot projects and are to be expanded in other areas later," he added.

According to Nasar, the clinics would also run several related programs, such as training and health advice.

"For instance, we will train local medical staff on how to administer to cancer patients," he said. "This will also include advice on how to handle patients dying at home."

The clinics are funded by the Dharmais Cancer Hospital, which once belonged to a foundation run by former president Soeharto.

Nasar, however, did not disclose funding details but said "we also hope to receive donations from the World Health Organization to maintain the operation of the clinics."

One of the chief services provided at the clinics are pap smear tests, a proven measure that can detect the existence of cervical cancer.

Nasar said cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in Indonesia.

"Cervical cancer is related to one's behavior. So it can actually be prevented by changing our behavior," he said.

"If it can be prevented, it means that we can reduce the mortality rate caused by it," Nasar explained.

The hospital deputy director Syamsuridjal said one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer was to keep men and women's genital organs clean.

"It's also important not to have sex with multiple partners," Syamsuridjal said.

The Dharmais Cancer Hospital, he said, sees roughly one patient suffering from cervical cancer a day.

" It's about 250-300 patients per year," Syamsuridjal said. Most of the patients came to the hospital with the disease already at an advanced stage, he said.

Retno Praptijani W.S., head of the Cengkareng community health center, said the cancer clinic charges Rp 15,000 (US$2.15) for a pap smear test.

"Besides that, we'll also involve local health workers to give out cancer information in their neighborhood," Retno said.

According to Nasar, early detection of cancer is vital. It is much cheaper than having to cure the disease at a later stage.

"Early detection enables us to perform cheaper and easier treatments for cancer patients," Nasar said. (05)