Doctor fees to be regulated

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) yesterday promised that it will regulate fees its members charge to members of the public within three years.

IDI Chairman Azrul Azwar said after meeting with Vice President Try Sutrisno yesterday that some members of the profession had opposed the attempt to regulate the fees because it would give the impression that the medical practice is a business concern and not a social concern as it should be.

Azrul said there is now a consensus among members about the need to put some order in the way doctors charge their patients because of the increasing number of complaints about hefty medical bills and large variations from doctor to doctor.

The regulation on medical fees should be completed within three years, he added.

Azrul, who assumed the IDI top post early this year to replace Kartono Mohammad, said he personally thought the fees should be regulated although he understood the concerns of those who object.

In the meantime, he said members of the public are urged to report their complaints with the association regarding medical fees. IDI will take stern action against its members who violate the doctors' code of ethics, he added.

Azrul, along with other IDI board members Merdias Almatsier Ihsan Oetama and Purnomo Prawiro yesterday reported to Try about the results of the recent IDI congress.

One of the resolutions is the launching of the concept family medical practitioners, beginning next year.

Under the concept, a doctor is encouraged to take a more active part in the health care of a client's family, making periodic house calls and providing advice on preventive measures.

He said Indonesia now has a "surplus" of doctors after the government decided to limit the annual intake of new doctors to be employed as civil servants working at state hospitals.

These "surplus" doctors have to open private practices.

Azwar denied the suggestion that big cities, particularly Jakarta, has more doctors than it needs while outlying regions have a severe shortage. He underlined that Jakarta and its nine million population needs plenty of doctors. (emb)