Govt threatens to close hospital treatment plants

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)