Health services for all groups better this year
Health services for all groups better this year
JAKARTA (JP): The year 1994 saw a genuine attempt by the
government to expand health services for the poor people besides
for the wealthier members of society.
The Ministry of Health launched a "health card" intended for
needy people. The card entitles the holder to free medical
services.
This replaced the old program which also offered free health
care, but had procedures so arduous that most people shunned the
system and paid for their health care. The new health card system
bypasses all the red tape.
The expansion of the health services for the poor is in
keeping with the government's resolution to improve the welfare
of the nearly 26 million people in the country who still live
below the poverty line.
The health card system was originally planned for next year
but the government accelerated its schedule to start on this
year's National Health Day on Nov. 12, when it distributed five
million cards to poor people throughout the country.
However, the underprivileged did not monopolize all of the
attention and energy of the Ministry of Health in 1994.
The ministry is also drawing up a program of action to deal
with the "rich man's diseases" whose occurrence is now beginning
to increase in at accelerating rates among Indonesian urbanites.
Changing life styles due to improvements in economic
conditions have caused people to consume more western fast food,
which is high in carbohydrate, fat, salt and cholesterol, all of
which are major causes of heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease is now the number one killer in
Indonesia's large cities -- up from number 11 some 20 years ago.
The Ministry of Health has also recognized the role of
traditional medicine, a change of policy that was brought about
after Minister Sujudi's return from a visit to China, where the
practice coexists with conventional, modern medicine.
Sujudi said the government is now studying the possibility of
integrating traditional medicine into the national health
services system.
The free trade wind also blew into the health sector.
In October, Sujudi announced that Indonesia is considering
opening its door to foreign businesses seeking to invest in
hospitals.
Some people have expressed misgivings about this idea,
pointing out that a hospital has a social function, to serve the
public, and should not be built along commercial lines.
Doctors, also received their share of the limelight this year.
The Indonesian Medical Association announced this month its
plan to set up a "complaint bureau" to replace other less
specific bodies, such as the Indonesian Consumers Agency, in
dealing with the growing number of complaints about medical care
from the public. (pwn)