RSCM refuses to treat patient

RSCM refuses to treat patient

JAKARTA (JP): City councillor Yusuf A.R. deplored the conduct
of the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) on Thursday for
refusing to conduct eye surgery on a former councillor because
the patient could not afford the down payment.

Yusuf said the hospital insisted that the surgery on 77-year-
old H.B.S. Amin, a member of the City Council for 1970s period,
was not possible despite Yusuf's guarantee of payment.

The hospital required Amin, a resident of Kebon Manggis,
Matraman, East Jakarta, to pay Rp 1.6 million (US$163) as a down
payment for his cataract surgery, according to Yusuf, a member of
the City Council's Commission E for social welfare affairs.

Amin, who was scheduled to undergo the surgery on Tuesday, was
then transferred to city-run Pasar Rebo hospital, in East
Jakarta.

The surgery was conducted on Thursday. (jun/04)