Megawati says health services for public unsatisfactory

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri complained about health services for the public which she said remained unsatisfactory due to the heavy workload of physicians.

"Most of the IDI members are extraordinarily busy as they have to work in several hospitals, not to mention their jobs at health clinics and private medical service," Megawati said while opening the 26th congress of the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) at the State Palace on Friday.

The President, however, gave limited praise to the doctors for their social and humanitarian functions, while underscoring their "limited capability".

"But to be fair we already know that due to doctors' limited capability, health services have become less focused and ineffective," she said as quoted by Antara.

In some places patients have to wait in line from early in the morning until the evening for service, Megawati said.

"This is, of course, inhuman both for the patients and doctors." she added.

Megawati admitted that the problems facing the country regarding health services was related to a lack of physicians, which has prompted anyone who can afford it to turn to medical services overseas.

Each general practitioner is statistically responsible for 7,000 people in Indonesia, a ratio which is extremely far below international standards. A specialist, meanwhile, is responsible for nearly 24,000 people in the country.

The IDI congress will take place in Balikpapan, a major city in East Kalimantan, between Oct. 7 and Oct. 11. During the congress, the IDI will formally inaugurate Farid Anfasa Moeloek, a former health minister, as the new chairperson replacing Ahmad Djojosugito.

Megawati said despite the government's plan to increase the price of generic medicine, quality health services cannot be compromised.

The IDI has suggested that the government provide subsidies for poor people -- current data indicates that over 18 million live in "extreme poverty" -- who will be affected the most by the hike in generic medicines.

Outgoing IDI chairman Djojosugito has said the association could understand the increase based on the production cost calculation.

"In the past, the government gave the generic drug manufacturers subsidies to cover the minimum production cost. Now that subsidies have been reduced, producers are facing difficulties in running their businesses," Djojosugito told The Jakarta Post recently.

The Ministry of Health announced recently the increase of generic drug prices by between 2.33 percent and 50.62 percent.