Doctor in Irian Jaya

Doctor in Irian Jaya

From Kompas

I read the article about the experience of an honorary doctor
in Irian Jaya (Kompas, May 26, 1995). The article concerns mostly
personal matters.

A doctor myself, I was once assigned to the remotest area in
Irian Jaya for four years. I never felt that there was any gap
between the doctors already under the status of PNS (civil
servant) and the honorary-salaried doctors. Also it is not true
that the doctors assigned to the regencies were experiencing
degradation in idealism. On the other hand, they had to face many
challenges in providing health care to the people and had to
manage an organization with feeble infrastructure.

The doctors should be proud of their responsibilities, being
assigned in a difficult area where the people are still backward.
Of course it calls for dedication and sacrifice on the part of
the doctors.

DR. I.B. INDRAJAYA

Wamena, Irian Jaya