Problem of newly graduated doctors

Problem of newly graduated doctors

Referring to the article What's up, Doc? by Carl Chairul in
The Jakarta Post on March 5, 2000, I would like to make some
comments.

In my opinion, the vicious circle of the health service is
caused in some part by "out-of-date" health regulations which do
not fit in with the current situation and hence need to be
reevaluated.

Rizal, a newly graduated medical doctor who does not come from
a wealthy family, is obliged to work in a remote village in
Sulawesi as a "temporary" civil servant. Rizal is only one
example and there are many of his colleagues who share the same
fate. What if the doctor is a woman and not yet married?

Besides the expenses, studying in medical school is very
difficult. A friend of mine, a doctor, went to medical school for
10 years and now he is working in Abepura, Irian Jaya, where he
makes little money.

The points brought up by Carl Chairul have been voiced by
numerous people about greedy doctors whose character flaws could
be detected during psychological tests before they are admitted
to medical school.

The surgeon who hastily diagnosed appendicitis without
checking supporting data (laboratory tests, etc.) does not meet
medical standards. Abdominal pain, even in the lower right side,
does not always indicate appendicitis. It may be caused by an
infection, and hence could be treated with antibiotics.

I agree with Dr. Iwan Darmansah that the government should
intervene to solve the problems faced by new doctors. Out-of-date
health regulations should be reviewed, and if necessary replaced
with new regulations that would allow newly graduated doctors
automatically to be given their licenses to practice. While
compulsory service for doctors should effect only those who are
being considered for promotion to full-time civil servants as a
reward.

H.M. HADI S.

Cimahi, West Java