Money can't buy specialists

PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: Medical specialists wishing to practice in remote areas in Central Kalimantan are so few that even a Rp 1 million incentive cannot lure them here.

The head of the provincial health office, Tukik B. Toemon, said here yesterday that few had responded to the offer of a Rp 1 million incentive to open up practice in areas like the Kapuas, North and South Barito regencies.

"The administrations in those three regencies continue to offer financial incentives to anybody who's interested," Tukik said as quoted by Antara.

"Some have responded to the offer but only a very small number. And even then they're only willing to stay a year," he said without revealing the number.

According to Tukik, the kind of specialists needed are internists, obstetricians and pediatricians. (mds)