Hospital lacks specialists

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: People suffering from heart, neurological, urinary and pathology-related problems here often have to journey to the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Ujungpandang or Jakarta for the most up-to-date medical treatment.

Head of the provincial health office Takahasi Rahmani told Antara on Monday that the local hospital for years lacked doctors specialized in the four fields.

"We have repeatedly asked the government to send those kinds of specialists. We have also encouraged public doctors to obtain specialist diplomas, but only a few have succeeded," Takahasi said.

The hospital employs 12 specialists, including internists, gynecologists, dentists and pediatricians. The province's other state-owned hospitals have an average three specialists each, according to Takahasi.

The provincial administration has increased its annual budget allotted for the hospital to Rp 350 million (around US$40,500) in this fiscal year in a bid to have its rating improved. Many people have complained about poor services provided by the hospital, Antara reported.