Geriatric hospital to be established
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)