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.