Free medical treatment for drivers

BOGOR (JP): The Bogor Health Agency and the Bogor's Land Transport Owners Association (Organda) have reached an agreement to provide free medical treatment to minivan drivers.

A. Chotib Malik, head of Organda's Bogor branch, said that under the agreement, which was signed to mark the 33th National Health Day yesterday, some 800 Organda members in the city would be eligible for free medical services by next month at the latest.

All minivan drivers holding health insurance cards from Organda will be eligible for free medical treatment at local community health centers, Chotib said. "All expenses will be covered by Organda," he said.

"Even medical treatment at health centers, which costs only Rp 1,500 (45 U.S. cents), will be covered. It's important to drivers whose income is small," he said.

The 800 eligible drivers are grouped and supervised by the association, he said. They are part of about 4,000 drivers in operation in the city.

Chotib urged other drivers who had not joined the association to do so. "Joining the association would help improve their welfare," he said.

Chotib explained that each Organda member was obliged to pay a daily fee of Rp 300. "The funds collected from them will later be used for the drivers' savings, to buy drivers' uniforms, to pay accident insurance and to cover other organizational activities," he said.

Head of the Bogor Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) said the provision of health services was part of the city administration's efforts to help improve discipline among them.

"By making the service available to them, the drivers are expected to support the city's discipline movement, especially in driving," he said. (24/hhr)