Public complains over high Puskesmas fees

Public complains over high Puskesmas fees

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: People in Kendari, Southeast
Sulawesi, complained on Monday about the high fees being charged
by local public health centers (Puskesmas).

Nurlela, a resident of Lepo-lepo district, said that besides
paying for medicines and the doctor's fee, she had to pay at
least Rp 500 for the renewal of her health card, Rp 1,000 for a
daily ticket, and Rp 500 as a Puskesmas service charge.

"Previously we only paid for the medicine. But, now we have to
pay for everything, including the vaccines. We can only get free
injections for vitamin A and polio," she said, adding that the
quality of service remained poor.

The new charges have forced most residents to turn to midwives
or health workers for medical services as they charged only for
medicines.

The local administration's spokesman, Arifin Baidi, said that
all the fees imposed by Puskesmas, health clinics or other state
and privately run health facilities were in accordance with local
bylaws.

"The charges are in accordance with Bylaw No. 4/1998 on health
services, which stipulates the rates," he said, adding that the
fees were necessary to augment the local government's revenues
and cover the facilities' operating costs. --Antara