Fake health cards sold

Fake health cards sold

BENGKULU, Bengkulu: Two local officials of the South Muko-Muko
subdistrict in North Bengkulu have reportedly sold thousands of
health cards, instead of distributing them free to residents.

Antara reported that the officials, identified only as HR and
AM, intimidated thousands of residents into buying the cards for
Rp 3,000 (approximately US 1.36) each. The officials threatened
that if the residents refused, they would be "investigated" and
implicated as having ties with the 1965 aborted coup of the now
banned Indonesian Communist Party.

President Soeharto launched the health scheme last year to
provide people in the lowest income bracket with free medical
services.

The residents said in their complaint to the local
prosecutor's office that the cards they bought from the two
officials were counterfeit. The village health centers
(Puskesmas) refused to accept the cards or attend to their
medical needs.

Head of the Bengkulu office of the Ministry of Health Dr.
Bachtiar Karatu also promised to look into the matter. (swe)