Hospitals and the dengue outbreak

Hospitals and the dengue outbreak

As Dr. Ali Imran Umar revealed recently, Jakarta office of the
Ministry of Health survey findings show the greatest numbers of
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (carriers of the dengue fever virus) are
found in hospitals. Whatever the reason may be, this situation is
surely most undesirable. In these circumstances, it is difficult
to blame people for assuming there must be something wrong with
our hospitals.

Of course, not all our hospitals are dirty. Some even boast
conditions (of comfort and sanitation) that surpass those
existing in star-rated hotels. The problem is that most of those
better hotels ignore general societal needs and are unaffordable
to the poor. As for the bad sanitary conditions in most of our
general hospitals, fund shortages and ignorance among poor
patients on such matters are among the classic excuses offered.

Whatever the case may be, though, the very fact that hospitals
in Jakarta are acting as major breeding sites for deadly
mosquitoes must get the serious attention of the Ministry of
Health. If funds are inadequate, then ways must somehow be found
to obtain additional money. And any funds available must be used
efficiently and conscientiously.

The good image of our hospitals must be restored by improving
their sanitation and ensuring they operate efficiently. We have
long encouraged our people to see doctors and visit hospitals and
abandon their reliance on faith healers. If our hospitals cannot
shed their present image as run-down, dirty places and breedings
havens for mosquitoes, people may well be encouraged to turn to
traditional healers once again.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta