Hospitals have

Hospitals have social function

From Media Indonesia

Several hospitals in East Java have raised their treatment fees. In Indonesia, as a developing nation or even a poor country, hospitals have a social function, while a commercial motive is, in my opinion, not yet appropriate.

As a rule, hospitals have several classes for their patients such as VIP or super VIP, premier and first through fourth classes. The system of cross-subsidy is also widely applied, in which the lowest two categories are subsidized by upper classes. The government also provides aid for the health sector.

Therefore, hospital service as part of the country's social security networks should be enjoyed by economically weak communities. If their fees have to be raised, the VIP/super VIP and premier or first categories should be chosen instead of the lowest two classes.

Dr. PUDYANTO SURADIBROTO Jakarta