RSCM celebrates 82nd anniversary

JAKARTA: The state-owned Cipto Mangunkusomo hospital in Central Jakarta (RSCM) celebrated its 82nd anniversary on Wednesday and inaugurated a new hospital director.

The hospital, established in 1919 under Dutch colonial rule, will alter its legal status from a public hospital to a non- profit state company in 2002, along with 13 other hospitals.

"We see it as a solution to overcome our continuing financial difficulties. When the new system is implemented, we will be able to manage our own revenue," said Merdias Almatsier, the new director for RSCM.

According to its own data, the hospital caters to more than 80 percent of the middle to lower class group, which burdened the hospital with expenses of around Rp 1.5 billion per year.

"We intend to improve the quality of our human resources, medical utilities and other facilities in response to the complaints about our services," Merdias told reporters.--JP