Patients stay away from doctors

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The recession descending upon the country has forced many to reassess their lifestyles, but one man may have taken it a bit too far.

The director of Emmanuel Hospital in Banjarnegara, Dr. Yahya Wardoyo, said yesterday that one of his regular dialysis patients had decided to cancel his monthly treatment when he was told it had gone up from Rp 225,000 (US$26.50) to Rp 500,000.

The patient went home after rejecting the near double price.

In a somber tone, Yahya then revealed that a week later he learned that the patient had died.

Price increases have also affected the number of patients going to the community health center (Puskesmas) in Banyumas after it raised its registration fee from Rp 400 to Rp 2,500.

According to officials, the number of patients has dipped to an average of less than 15 a day from about 50.

Banyumas regency legislative speaker, Nursoleh Warsono, said yesterday that permission to raise the price had been granted. The increase was deemed necessary to adjust to the high cost of health care.

The head of the Banyumas health office defended the new price, saying that services there were still relatively cheaper than they were at private practices. (45)