Govt threatens to close hospital treatment plants

JAKARTA (JP): The city environment bureau has threatened to close down the waste treatment plants of 11 hospitals in Jakarta after they ignored repeated warnings issued by the municipal administration.

The warnings were aimed at improving the hospitals' waste management in order to support the city's program of clean rivers, locally known as Program Kali Bersih (Prokasih).

The chief of the bureau, Aboe Juwono, said yesterday the 11 hospitals are, Fatmawati General Hospital, Jakarta Islamic Hospital, Naval Hospital DR. Mintohardjo, Budi Kemuliaan Hospital, Jakarta Hospital, Sumber Waras Hospital, Pelni Hospital, St. Carolus Hospital, Budi Asih Hospital, Halim Perdana Kusuma Hospital and Ongko Mulyo Hospital.

Aboe said since Prokasih's launch in 1992, the bureau has issued three warnings to the management of 13 hospitals. The first warning was issued in September 1992, the second in July 1993 and the third in July 1994.

Aboe said there were two other hospitals whose waste dumps were threatened with closure. They are MMC and Mitra Keluarga.

However, the bureau canceled its plan because management of the two hospitals took the warnings seriously. "They immediately installed proper waste treatment facilities in their hospitals," Aboe said.

Warnings

He said the bureau has also issued two warnings to 13 other hospitals, in Aug., 1993 and on Oct. 4, 1994.

The 13 hospitals are Podomoro Maternal Hospital, Abdi Waluyo, Bunda, Harapan Bunda, Police Hospital, Wanita Evasari, Budhi Jaya, Asih, Cilandak Marine, Pasar Minggu, the Indonesian Christian University Hospital, JPK and Harapan Kartini, reported Antara.

Aboe said the 13 hospitals will receive another warning next year if the respective managements disregard the bureau's second warning.

He said the main problem hampering hospitals in Jakarta installing adequate waste treatment facilities is lack of money.

Meanwhile, city councilor Muhammad Rodja of United Development Party said city administration must be more open in announcing hospitals which do not have adequate waste treatment plants.

He also said city administration should not hesitate in suing companies if they are found guilty of damaging the city's environment. (mas)