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