Government to launch massive health campaign

Government to launch massive health campaign

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Health in cooperation with the
private sector is set to launch a nationwide campaign in
commemoration of the 36th Health Day, designed to promote better
health as well as a better relationship between patients and
healthcare professionals.

"Being healthy is everybody's basic human right," Minister of
Health Achmad Sujudi said in a media briefing on Thursday.

In that sense, people have to be aware that having a long life
expectancy (such as 65 in Indonesia) was not worth it if they
were not healthy, he said.

"In the wake of regional autonomy, especially in the medical
and health field, we want to remind people that as patients they
have the right to be informed about their illness and what plans
the doctor(s) have for them as well as what to do with their
bodies," he said.

Achmad explained that for a long time most doctors had become
used to "playing God" and playing a dominating role in respect of
their patients.

"This must change. Every patient must have the chance of
obtaining a second opinion (from another doctor) on the side
effects of the medication. Patients should even have the right to
refuse a particular course of treatment if they don't want it,"
the minister said.

Doctors and patients were partners, he stressed.

"And this awareness must be brought into the open. Previously,
many doctors were offended if their patients asked for another
doctor's opinion," Achmad said.

A series of health activities will be held across the country
such as the officiation of the world's first Auto Disable Prefill
Injection Device (Uniject) and Packaging System by PT Bio Farma
Bandung, Hepatitis B immunization, and a health seminar in
Jakarta featuring prominent speakers such as Emil Salim, Muladi
and Sri Mulyani.

The highlight of the commemoration will take place at the
National Monument on Nov. 12 when a huge banner bearing the motto
"Indonesia Healthy 2010" will be raised by President Abdurrahman
Wahid.

In Semarang, Batam and the disputed areas of Poso, Luwuk
Banggai and several towns in Irian Jaya, the ministry in
cooperation with the Navy will roll out the Surya Bhaskara Jaya
social program to provide free medication and treatment for
people living in remote areas.

"In Makassar, we will hold a seminar and inaugurate the
Disaster Relief Brigade, which is a joint task force of medical
and non-medical personnel that is being set up to deal with
emergencies," the minister added.

Meanwhile, Azrul Azwar, the Director General of Public Health,
said the bill on the public health service network (JPKM), which
deals with the healthcare insurance and funding system, would be
endorsed soon.

"The bill involves people contributing about 3 to 5 percent of
their income for healthcare coverage," Azrul said.

With respect to the issue of autopsies, Minister Achmad called
for further protection for forensic experts as many in the
community are still ignorant about their function.

"In the case of the murder victim Fernando Helio Parada who
was stabbed, forensic experts had to conduct an autopsy to
determine the real cause of death as the victim may have died
from other causes, such as a heart attack," Achmad said.

People must know that a forensic report is made based upon
scientific judgments and is necessary in order to uphold justice,
he said. "And in any suspicious case, an autopsy is a must since
it is a requirement consistent with the legal processes being
conducted by the police and the Attorney General's Office," he
added. (edt)