Sanglah Hospital closed to journalists
Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali
Sanglah General Hospital in Denpasar introduced a stricter regulation on Wednesday, banning members of the media and the public from entering the Melati room, the Intensive Surgery Center and the morgue.
Dozens of Indonesian Military troops and security guards were deployed around the areas to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering.
A male volunteer, a grin on his face, simply explained, "For the safety of the patients."
In reality, however, a number of journalists and photographers, mostly from foreign media companies, were taking their shots in the Melati room freely.
Indeed, the hospital has drawn a crowd, with hundreds of local and foreign journalists flocking there every day to seek the latest information on the blast victims and identification of the bodies.
Some journalists, photographers and cameramen simply wait for politicians or celebrities who visit the hospital. Others aggressively hunt down families and friends of the patients.
However, Indonesian journalists felt the hospital management was being discriminative by allowing foreign journalists to enter the restricted area but completely banning locals from the same areas.
"This is discriminative treatment," said one local journalist in an angry voice.
Discrimination is also felt by local patients.
"My wife was in a very critical condition, but no ambulance took her in to the hospital," said Budiman, not his real name, sobbing in frustration and anger.
"We are all same, we are all human beings despite our different skin colors and nationalities," added a mother, whose son is being treated in the Melati room.
The Melati room, refitted to treat patients with severe burns, no longer looked sterile at all. Some of the windows are open, allowing air to enter from outside, although the room is supposed to be sterile. The doors are frequently opened to let in the endless trail of celebrities, government officials and politicians who visit the seriously wounded patients.
With all the foreign patients having left the island, only Indonesian patients remain at the hospital.
Dr. Tjakra Wibawa Manuaba, head of Sanglah's medical team, denied accusations of partial treatment.
"Since the very beginning, we have provided equal treatment for all patients regardless of their nationality," he said.
He also said five of the remaining 27 patients would be sent to the United States.
"The Australian government has also offered assistance to bring critical patients there," he added.
According to the latest data from the hospital, a total of 116 foreign patients had been evacuated to their countries, including to the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France and Denmark.
As of Wednesday, 48 bodies had been identified.
"An international team of forensic doctors are in a race against time to identify the corpses. That's why the morgue has to be closed to the public," he explained.