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