Major upgrade may restore state hospital's reputation

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

The management of Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) on Jl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta announced on Wednesday a major project to bring the hospital up to international standards.

The upgrade is a belated present for the hospital's 85th anniversary on Nov. 19.

"We began preparing the plan in 1996 but had to delay it during the economic crisis. We expect the construction to start next year and to be completed within two years," the hospital's president director, Merdias Almatsier, said.

When completed, the hospital will feature a modern public wing, international wing, children's wing and eye center.

Merdias said the public wing would be the main building of the hospital and would have 900 beds designated for poor patients.

Construction is expected to cost about Rp 160 billion (US$17.78 million), with the money to come from foreign loans secured by the government, he said.

Merdias said the hospital management was still seeking partners able to provide quality facilities and services in the international wing.

"We hope our services here will attract foreign patients," he said, adding that four private companies had expressed an interest to acting as partners in the venture.

The children's wing and the eye center will constitute the last phase of the project, Merdias said.

RSCM currently has 1,214 beds, consisting of 733 third-class beds, 295 second-class, 46 first-class and 140 VVIP beds.

Formerly known as the Central Civil Hospital, RSCM was built in 1919 by the Dutch colonial administration. Until 1922 the hospital provided free health care for indigenous citizens and paid women to deliver their babies at the hospital in a drive to improve public health.

The hospital's name was changed in 1964 in honor of the nationalist medical doctor Tjipto Mangunkusumo, who dedicated his life to serving the poor.

Financial constraints and poor maintenance have harmed the reputation of what once the finest hospital in the country.

"With the new wings, RSCM will not look as 'pale' as it does now. We have to improve our services," RSCM head of human resources Meliana Zailani said.