New medical plan a ray of hope for poor
New medical plan a ray of hope for poor
ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post/Surabaya
The forlorn gaze of Inah turned into one of hope when she heard
news of a government plan to waive medical fees for patients of
third-class wards at state hospitals.
"If it's true, then it's good news for the poor," she said.
Six days have passed since Inah and other members of Mohammad
Muhaimin's family set up camp in the rear courtyard of Dr.
Soetomo General Hospital at Rp 15,000 (US$1.60) a day to be near
him.
Muhaimin, 27, a junior clerk at a private company in Surabaya,
is being treated in the third-class Flamboyan Ward for severe
injuries he sustained in a accident last Thursday.
"We couldn't leave Mas Muhaimin alone. Someone has to tend to
him, especially his medication," Inah, Muhaimin's younger sister,
said on Wednesday.
Muhaimin's condition is critical, as he suffered injuries to
his head, eyes and hands.
"He had a concussion and some skull fractures, and will
probably need optic surgery," said Inah.
The family is taking turns staying at the hospital. "We have
to arrange administrative matters, including medication and
surgery expenses."
However, the cost is astronomical for the family, which has
already paid Rp 4 million in medical expenses. "The expenses
cover treatment in intensive care to treating his wounds and his
medication. The final bill will probably be much higher," Inah
said.
Suharlin, 55, and her family are facing a similar plight.
"My sister is old and is being treated at the Flamboyan Ward
for acute stomach ulcers," said Yudiono, Suharlin's brother.
The family has spent Rp 1 million in just two days for her
medication, a great cost for a pensioner's family to bear.
Suharlin has had no fixed income since her husband died five
years ago.
The struggle to face high medical costs is not uncommon, and
at least 900 other families are camping out at the hospital to
tend to their sick relatives.
Every day, the courtyard and corridors of the hospital are
filled with patients' families sleeping on mats and old
newspapers with their bags, snacks and bottled water scattered
nearby.
The families are all placing their hopes on Minister of Health
Siti Fadilah Supari, who has promised to waive medical fees for
third-class patients. Yudiono hoped the promise was more than lip
service.
However, implementing a free medical treatment scheme on a
nationwide scale is no easy matter.
Soetomo hospital director Dr. Slamet Riyadi said the technical
aspects, or relevant laws and regulations of the program, needed
to be determined first.
"It has to be clear which social group is to be exempted from
medical expenses, whether it is everyone being treated in third-
class wards or only the poor," Slamet told The Jakarta Post.
Hospital records show that not all third-class patients were
poor. "Some rich people choose to be treated in third-class
facilities. Will this group also get free medication?" Slamet
asked.
In addition, all hospitals charge two separate fees, one for
use of hospital facilities and another for medical treatment.
"Hospital facility fees include the cost of a room, while
medical treatment includes surgery, medication and other costs.
Which one will be provided for free?"
The most vital issue is how a hospital will cope with the rise
in operational costs if the plan really takes effect.
"Thus far, the hospital spends about Rp 9 billion per year. If
the free medical scheme is realized, I estimate our operational
costs will jump to about Rp 18 billion per year," said Slamet.
While the plan may be a godsend for poor patients and their
families, it is as yet unclear whether the government will
provide a health care subsidy or if it has enough funds to
implement the plan.