Sanglah Hospital closed to journalists

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.