Tangerang clinics lose out to Jakarta

Multa Fidrus, Tangerang

Adequate medical equipment, easy access, affordable fees and, most importantly, shorter queues have prompted some people living in Pondok Aren and Ciputat districts, Tangerang regency, to visit the Pesanggrahan public health center in South Jakarta to have their illnesses treated.

There are two public health centers in both districts, which border Jakarta.

"Specialist doctors are available in this (Pesanggrahan) health center while the medial equipment is also adequate. Besides, I can afford the medical bills," Rojanah, a 36-year-old mother of four who lives in Pondok Aren, said on Monday.

Similarly, Mirna, a 26-year-old housewife living in Ciputat, said she preferred to go to Pesanggrahan because the health center in her area was always crowded.

Mirna, who is carrying her first baby, said she only spent Rp 45,000 (US$4.89) for an ultrasound examination.

The Jakarta Post observed that two health centers in Ciputat district -- located on Jl. Ki Hajar Dewantara and in Sawah Lama village -- are crowded with patients every day. Each of the patients must wait for around two hours before being examined.

A similar situation also prevails at two health centers in Parigi Baru village and Pondok Jengkol village in Pondok Aren.

Pondok Aren district chief Agus Suryana said the health center there has only 25 healthcare workers to serve between 200 and 300 patients every day. Sometimes, they have to work for more than eight hours before all of the patients have been treated, he added.

A doctor with the Pesanggrahan health center, Yani, said that around 10 patients from the two districts visit the center every day.