RI needs more neurologists

JAKARTA: The nation's population of 200 million needs many more than the 56 neurologists currently qualified to practice, the president of the Association of Indonesian Neurologists said at a seminar here Wednesday.

Dr. Umar Kasan was quoted by Antara as saying 19 of the doctors were based in Jakarta, and the rest in 13 of the 27 provinces.

Special programs aimed at increasing the number of neurologists and reducing dependence on foreign specialists is needed, Kasan said.

Th University of Indonesia in Jakarta, Padjadjaran University in West Java, and Airlangga University in East Java -- which have three of country's most respected medical schools -- graduate from three to six neurologists each year.