Sutiyoso pays victims' medical bills

JAKARTA: Fulfilling his promise, Governor Sutiyoso paid on Wednesday medical bills from nine hospitals that have been treating victims of the JW Marriott Hotel bombing.

The first phase of the collective payment scheme, at Rp 377,445,944 (US$44,405), was disbursed from city budget to Jakarta Hospital, MMC Hospital, Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Pertamina Hospital, Mintohardjo Navy Hospital, Kramat Hospital, Medistra Hospital, Pantai Indah Kapuk Hospital and city-run Koja Hospital.

Head of City Health Agency A. Cholik Masulili said the bills covered medical fees and services for bombing victims being treated in second class rooms and Intensive Care Units.

Each patient receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the blast will receive coverage from the city up until one month after they are released from hospital.

A total of 12 people were killed and 147 others injured in the Aug. 5 terrorist attack.

As of Wednesday, eight people were still being treated at Pertamina Hospital, two at MMC Hospital and six at Jakarta Hospital. Their bills will be paid in the second phase of the payment scheme.

Sutiyoso called on those bombing victims who had already paid their medical bills to contact the Health Agency for a refund. -- JP