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