Marriot victims take leading role

Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Forum Lima Delapan (F58), an organization of several Marriott bombing victims and their families, is urging the government to set specific terms for free medical treatment promised for victims of last week's blast in Kuningan.

Forum chairman Wahyu Adiartono said recently that medical treatment also included subsequent treatment after patients were discharged from hospitals, like changing bandages, psychological counseling and physiotherapy.

"They (the government) should state clearly if they want to cover only hospital expenses," said Wahyu. "Other parties can step forward to cover the rest of the costs."

On Sept. 9, Jakartans were stunned by a blast in front of the Australian Embassy on Jl. Rasuna Said, Kuningan, South Jakarta. Nine people were killed in the attack and 182 others were wounded, mainly by pieces of metal and shattered glass.

Minister of Health Achmad Suyudi and Governor Sutiyoso have pledged to cover all medical bills of the bomb victims. This promise was also made last year for victims of the Marriott bombing, which took the lives of 12 people and injured 147 others.

Several burn victims still have to have regular check ups and may have to go through further surgery. These bills are not paid by the government.

The forum also urged the government to ensure that the patients should not have to pay the bills first before waiting for reimbursement from the government. "Hospitals should do that, not the victims," said Wahyu.

A Marriott bombing victim, Febby Firmansyah, said it was difficult to witness a blast. "When you are a victim, you just surrender to fate," said Febby, who suffered burns on 42 percent of his body. "But watching the aftermath, you wonder what if you were there."

F58 members came to the bomb site right after the blast and visited to hospitals where the victims were taken to. At the nearby Metropolitan Medical Center (MMC) Hospital, for example, the organization acted as guarantors for five wounded victims.

Aside from assisting the Kuningan victims, F58 has been collecting data for their future needs. "We will try to provide scholarships for the surviving children," said Wahyu.

The organization also visited patients to give moral support. "What's important is support, not pity," said Febby.

Over the weekend, several members came to four grieving families who have lost their loved ones in the blast and gave condolences and financial assistance.