Geriatric hospital to be established
JAKARTA (JP): The Karya Bhakti foundation is scheduled to start constructing the country's first hospital for senior citizens on Jatiluhur area in Purwakarta, West Java, with a total investment of Rp 600 billion (US274.22 million) next year.
Chairman of the foundation Subagyo Partodiardjo told reporters yesterday that the geriatric hospital is badly needed now in light of the fact that by the year 2005, Indonesia will have the fourth largest population of senior citizens after the People's Republic of China, the U.S and Russia.
The number of people over 65 years old in Indonesia has grown from nearly three million in 1971 to 4.79 million in 1980 and 6.96 million in 1990. The number is expected to reach 19 million by the year 2000, he said.
"Due to successful family planning programs, the number of senior citizens will be greater than those under 65 years of age," said Subagyo, who is also a member of the City Council.
He explained that the hospital project aims to help the government deal with growing number of elderly people with health problems caused mostly by degenerative illnesses such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Subagyo said that the hospital will be located in Jatiluhur area, which has beautiful scenery with lakes, forests and perfect weather conditions for elderly people.
"The foundation chose Jatiluhur as the location because it lies 500 meters above the sea line and has cool weather," he said.
Subagyo explained that the construction of the hospital will be divided into three phases. The first phase will be started in November next year with an investment of Rp 150 billion and a planned capacity of 200 beds.
"The second phase will cost Rp 300 billion while Rp 150 billion is reserved for the third and last stage. In total there will be 500 beds in the hospital," he said.
Subagyo expected that the hospital, modeled after a similar hospital in Rumania, would be operational by November 1996.
He explained that the hospital will meet international standards since it will treat both local and foreign patients, such as tourists.
"This is important because the hospital will be open to everyone. But we have to do a cross-subsidy system in which the rich can help in providing financing for the low income patients," he said.
There will be new equipment to treat various diseases and also a facility called "oxygenated therapy" which is designed to help the patient feel healthy.
Subagyo said that the Karya Bhakti Geriatric hospital will be the center of geriatric care in the future and will assist general hospitals all over Indonesia which intend to establish similar units. (yns)