Foreign doctors

Foreign doctors

From Kompas

Since rumors are rife that foreign doctors will be allowed to practice in Indonesia following the "free market scheme for health services," I am anxious about the fate of local doctors. However, my worries would be alleviated if the foreign doctors were to practice under the same conditions as their Indonesian counterparts.

It should be noted that Indonesian doctors, without exception, are obliged to undergo wajib kerja sarjana or compulsory postings for university graduates. Even a specialist cannot be exempted from this prerequisite. Will foreign doctors be subject to this scheme? If not, it is not fair.

In a report entitled The way the foreign hospital recruits its staff is questionable (Kompas, Feb. 14, 1995) there is discrimination in the recruitment of medical staff. Indonesian doctors who will deal with Indonesian patients must take an English test, whereas the foreign doctors (who speak very little Indonesian) can be accepted without taking a test in bahasa Indonesia. The report also poses the question: Why is it that Indonesian doctors are paid less than foreign doctors?

Why this discrimination? Is it because "free market" can be interpreted as being the same as globalization or liberalization?

I hope the authorities will take necessary measures against such potential discrimination.

DR CHRISDIONO M. ACHADIAT

Jakarta