Health agency erects 38 posts for travelers

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The City Health Agency has established 38 health kiosks at locations frequented by domestic travelers, such as bus terminals, train stations, ports and the airport to monitor any health problems affecting people traveling this holiday season.

"Between five and eight doctors and nurses are in place at every post to give first aid to travelers who become ill. If someone requires emergency medical treatment, the officers at the posts could refer the patients to nearby hospitals for further treatment," said the agency spokesperson Zelfino.

First aid medication will be available at each of the temporary health centers.

Officers from the Indonesian Red Cross will also be on hand at the posts.

Each post will have one ambulance to enable the staff to rush the patients with grave illnesses to nearby hospitals.

Among the hospitals that will be ready to treat ailing travelers, are Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital and Tarakan Hospital, both covering the area of Central Jakarta, Koja Hospital and Cengkareng Hospital covering West Jakarta, Fatmawati Hospital in South Jakarta, while in East Jakarta are Budi Asih Hospital, Pasar Rebo Hospital and Persahabatan Hospital.

She said that the patients could enjoy the health services for free if they had been referred by the doctors from one of the 38 health kiosks.

The agency has also issued a memo to all public health centers across the capital to remind each to remain open during the holidays.

"Public health centers at the district level and maternity centers shall remain open around the clock throughout the holidays, while public health center in subdistrict level will be open on Nov. 2, Nov. 5, Nov. 7 and Nov. 8," the memo states.

The agency has allocated Rp 260 million for such medical service during the holiday travel period.